Results 17,321-17,340 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: My Department carries out analysis on an ongoing basis of the various negotiating proposals which emerge in these negotiations. This analysis covers a large number of different scenarios and their impacts on the different agricultural sectors. In particular, the analysis evaluates the levels of import protection for individual products under the various different tariff cut scenarios that...

Written Answers — Food Prices: Food Prices (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Recent data from the Central Statistics Office on the Consumer Price Index show that Ireland, in common with the rest of the EU and indeed the world, has experienced a steep rise in food prices. The cost of food and non-alcoholic beverage prices increased by 7.8% in the year to May 2008. This compares to an increase of 1.4% for the year to May 2007 and mirrors the upward trajectory in food...

Written Answers — Pesticide Use: Pesticide Use (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The new draft EU Regulation to replace Directive 91/4144/EEC concerning the marketing of plant protection products is part of a strategy for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides. I supported most of the provisions contained in the draft Regulation but I am concerned that the use of 'hazard-based cut-off criteria', as a basis for the approval of substances, ignores the scientific principle of...

Written Answers — Compliance Costs: Compliance Costs (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: In March of this year, the Government decided to reduce the administrative burden of domestic regulation on business by 25% by 2012. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment is responsible for devising the approach and methodology used across Government, for co-coordinating the work across Government Departments and agencies and for reporting to Government on progress. In this...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Applications received under the Farm Improvement Scheme prior to its suspension on 31 October 2007 are being processed by my Department up to the level of funding made available for the Scheme by the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The total package negotiated in November 2005 in the context of the reform of the EU sugar regime was worth €312m to Ireland. An amending EU regulation in October 2007 had the effect of increasing the overall value to Ireland of this package to €353m. The package was composed of three elements. The first element was the compensation for the reduction in the minimum price of beet — worth...

Written Answers — Farmers Markets: Farmers Markets (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: While there is no formal register of Farmers' markets in Ireland, An Bord Bia, has in co-operation with Invest Northern Ireland, published a comprehensive information guide on the operation of farmers markets. The Bord Bia website www.bordbia.ie includes a list of over 140 markets currently in operation throughout the island. This list is below. County Market Location Day Antrim Origin...

Written Answers — Food Imports: Food Imports (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: In 2007 total imports of fish for human consumption were valued at €171 million. As total sales of seafood through the domestic market in 2007 amounted to €394 million, the figure for import sales represents forty three percent. An analysis of total sales indicates that the retail sector accounted for €181 million, while sales through the food service sector accounted for €213 million.

Written Answers — Food Imports: Food Imports (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: According to estimates from the Central Statistics Office, gross output from the manufacture of food and beverage products in 2005 amounted to €18 billion. Ireland is self sufficient in the majority of agricultural commodities and over 80% of agricultural output is exported. Given this situation of comparative and competitive advantage in terms of agri-production, Ireland engages in and...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The development of regional and local agri-food products has an important part to play in achieving sustainable rural development and local food producers are key to this goal. This Government is committed to supporting local and regional food and Towards 2016 and my Department's Agri-Vision 2015 Action Plan include measures in this regard. Bord Bia, which operates under the aegis of my...

Written Answers — Farm Enterprises: Farm Enterprises (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Table 41 of the CSO's Farm Structures Survey 2005 contains data on the number of farmers reporting gainful non-agricultural activity on the farm. In 2005, this figure was 5,900.

Written Answers — Farm Enterprises: Farm Enterprises (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The structural form of farmers' markets in Ireland varies between privately owned markets, public markets, co-operatives and the more familiar Country Markets. Discussions have taken place with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment regarding the possible development by an interdepartmental group of statutory guidelines in relation to farmers markets. As a statutory approach...

Written Answers — Off-Farm Enterprises: Off-Farm Enterprises (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The most recent figures available from the Central Statistics Office are for the year 2005 and these show that there were 73,500 farmers whose sole occupation was farming or 56% of the total and 58,900 with another either major or subsidiary occupation. Special analysis of the EU-SILC 2006 is used to estimate total farm household income and the proportion arising from farming activities....

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Payment dated 24 June 2008 has issued to the person named.

Written Answers — Agriculture Regulation: Agriculture Regulation (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The use of pig slurry or poultry litter as a fertiliser for the purposes of agriculture is governed by the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006, which were introduced by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to give effect to the Nitrates Directive. The Regulations place strict obligations on all farmers in terms...

Written Answers — Animal Feedstuffs: Animal Feedstuffs (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: My Department is aware of trade interest in using poultry derived meat and bone meal in pig rations and vice versa. At present, EU regulations prohibit the feeding of meat and bone meal to farm animals. Discussions are taking place at EU level on a partial relaxation of this ban. The question of using bovine meat and bone meal to feed either pigs or poultry is not under review at this...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: A substantial number of submissions have been received to date under the public consultation process on the draft Animal Health and Welfare Bill. Closing date for receipt of submissions is Friday 11th July 2008 and it is envisaged that my officials will meet with a number of organisations subsequently to provide them with an opportunity to elaborate further on their respective submissions...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The deputy is referring to either the designation of shellfish waters under the Directive 2006/113/EC on the Quality Required of Shellfish Waters or to the Classification of Shellfish Areas according to the requirements of food safety legislation by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. In accordance with the Government Decision of 30th July 2007, all active shellfish production sites...

Written Answers — Ethics in Public Office Act: Ethics in Public Office Act (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 383 to 388, inclusive, together. The meetings referred to by the Deputy were attended by my predecessor. It is customary at such meetings with Ministers from other countries to exchange modest value gifts. The subject of gifts to Office Holders is dealt with in the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995, and the value of gifts received by my predecessor in the...

Written Answers — Common Fisheries Policy: Common Fisheries Policy (1 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the European Union's instrument for the management of fisheries and aquaculture. It was set down in 1983 and has been reviewed on a 10 year basis since then (in 1992 and 2002). During both reviews, many of Ireland's priorities were delivered. The process leading to that reform of the CFP was a lengthy and comprehensive one. It embraced such key areas...