Results 17,421-17,440 of 18,372 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 157 together. The number of hectares planted with crops for bioenergy purposes for each of the last six years is as follows: Year Hectares 2002 Not available 2003 137 2004 732 2005 2,590 2006 4,456 2007 9,057 My Department does not have figures relating to the amount of energy produced as a result of this crop production. The Department of...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Coillte Teoranta has looked at the feasibility of locating aerial trail adventure systems in a small number of appropriate locations across the country, which is part of its strategy to improve the recreational facilities it provides and to promote the value of its forest estate as a recreational resource. In this context, Coillte has received proposals from commercial operators on the...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: At yesterday's Agriculture Council we had a general debate on the agricultural market situation and the evolution of agricultural and food prices. In the course of the debate, I made the point that Europe has to consider the role of its own agri-food sector, so that it can play its part in ensuring a high standard of quality food for future generations. I said it was more important than...

Written Answers — Farm Inspections: Farm Inspections (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The position is that the cross-compliance regime has been in place since the introduction of the Single Payment Scheme in 2005. Cross-compliance involves two key elements: A requirement for farmers to comply with 18 statutory management requirements (SMRs) set down in EU legislation on the environment, food safety, animal health and welfare and plant health and A requirement to maintain the...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Common Agriculture Policy provides the EU with various market measures with which it manages the dairy market. During 2007 dairy prices increased dramatically as a consequence of high demand and tightness of supply on EU and World Markets. This shortage of supply caused the Commission to zero rate export refunds for milk products. Prices have fallen back from their high point of last...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The draft Operational Programme (O.P) for Fisheries for Ireland, submitted to the Commission envisages the use of EU funds under the European Fisheries Fund to support decommissioning of fishing vessels, aquaculture development and environmental/ inshore fisheries support, specifically a small number of Co-Financed measures under the pillars of axis 1, 2 and 3. There was no provision in the...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Climate change has potentially serious implications not just for agriculture but for all sectors of the economy. The Irish agricultural pasture-based production system has many advantages in terms of sustainability and in a decoupled environment, efficiency of production is pursued which means that carbon emissions per unit of production are kept as low as possible. In the context of carbon...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Significant work has been undertaken on drafting a new Animal Health and Welfare Bill and I intend to initiate a process of public consultation by publishing a discussion paper next week and inviting submissions from interested parties and other stakeholders. The proposed Bill will give effect to a number of important commitments, in the area of animal health and welfare, contained in the...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The level of forestry land planted in each of the past eleven years as a percentage of total land area is illustrated in the table. Year Total Hectares % of land area % 1997 608,522 8.83 1998 621,450 9.02 1999 634,118 9.20 2000 649,813 9.43 2001 665,277 9.66 2002 680,331 9.87 2003 689,428 10.01 2004 699,166 10.15 2005 709,262 10.29 2006 717,299 10.41 2007 724,246 10.51 The...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Strategic Plan for the Development of the Forestry Sector in Ireland 'Growing for the Future,' sets a target for forest cover of 17% of the total land area to be achieved by 2035. Over the period of the National Development Plan, 2007 to 2013, the short-term objective is to grow annual planting to 10,000 hectares per annum. The average rate of planting over the last three years was...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: REPS is an agri-environmental measure, and for that reason payments to farmers must be costed and justified on the basis of quantifiable environmental benefits that go beyond keeping land in good agricultural and environmental condition and observing the statutory management requirements of the Single Payment Scheme. No element of the REPS payment can be justified on the basis of a...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The lack of synchronisation in the authorisation process for the marketing of GM crops employed in the US and in the EU can result in the adventitious or accidental presence of unauthorised GM events in imported animal feed because the GM event, although authorised in the US, is not yet authorised in the EU. The Commission are conscious of the anxiety and difficulties this situation is...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Ireland has been and remains bluetongue-free and the presence of the disease in a number of other Member States has not had any significant impact on Irish agriculture to date. It continues to be my objective to ensure that Ireland remains disease free and that we make every effort and take all such reasonable precautions to that end. My Department has carried out a number of assessments to...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: I have not issued guidelines to Coillte Teoranta on this matter and I am satisfied that the company is fully aware of the carbon effect of planting forestry.

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Ireland's share of the Community's fishing opportunities was established for the main stocks in the early 1980s when these opportunities were being portioned out between Member States. The share allocations were based on catch records and reflect the fishing levels by the Irish fleet at that time. The percentage shares held by each Member State have generally remained the same for over 20...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The OPW announced late last year that a consortium, the Macquarie Partnership, has won the tender for the project to build the permanent offices in Portlaoise, Mullingar and Carlow (a design, finance, build and maintain contract). The planning permission process for the building in Portlaoise, which will accommodate over 800 staff, is underway. The site in Portlaoise is situated on the new...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The staff issues have been addressed and remedial work has been carried out in the offices.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The issue of high levels of discards in commercial sea fisheries from large pelagic factory vessels is a matter of substantial concern. Ireland has pushed for the introduction of observers on board these vessels. I consider that the monitoring of the activity of factory vessels is necessary to deliver sustainable fisheries and I intend to pursue this agenda with Commissioner Borg and other...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Within the European Community, fishing activities are carried out under the Common Fisheries Policy. Under this Policy, the annual Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas for fish stocks are agreed each year during negotiations at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in December. The TACs and quotas are based on advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas...

Written Answers — Food Prices: Food Prices (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 358 together. Changes in food prices are primarily a function of market forces operating at international, EU and national level. Consistently strong economic growth in developing countries is the main driver of changing world food demand towards high-value agricultural products and processed foods. Slow-growing supply, low stocks, and supply shocks...