Results 17,521-17,540 of 18,372 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: A high level interdepartmental group has been established and has met twice to discuss issues of a cross departmental nature such as CAP/WTO, energy costs, waste management, regulation and market access. The composition of a high-level strategic market access group and its terms of reference have also been agreed. The group will comprise representatives from the Departments of Agriculture,...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Bord Bia's budget was increased by a Supplementary Estimate of €1.2 million in 2007 to enable it inter alia to expand promotional activity for beef and the increased funding level was maintained in this year's Estimates. 2007 was the third year of Bord Bia's pan European Autumn Beef Promotion which involved promotion of beef in 13 export markets, covering the UK and Continental Europe....

Written Answers — On-Farm Investment Schemes: On-Farm Investment Schemes (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Farm Improvement Scheme, introduced in July 2007 following receipt of EU approval for the 2007-2013 RDP, provided grant-aid for the areas mentioned. Under the Scheme, grant-aid is available up to a maximum eligible investment ceiling of €120,000 with a separate ceiling of €120,000 being applicable in the case of dairy hygiene measures. The standard grant-rate for animal housing and...

Written Answers — Rural Development Programme: Rural Development Programme (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Following an extensive consultation process, the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme (RDP) was formally approved by the Commission in September 2007. The overall package provides funding of almost €6 billion over a seven-year period for farming measures and includes schemes for early retirement, farm investment, agri-environmental supports, installation aid and the disadvantaged areas....

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 363 and 369 together. Significant progress has been made on drafting the new Animal Health and Welfare Bill and I intend shortly, to initiate a process of public consultation by publishing a consultation paper and inviting submissions from interested parties and other stakeholders. The Bill will give effect to a number of important commitments, in the area...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: My Department's responsibilities extend to animal and plant health and it works closely with the Department of Health & Children and the Health Services Executive in relation to any such diseases that may have potential implications for human health, for example in relation to avian 'flu'. I am acutely conscious of the threats of various animal disease outbreaks and my Department continually...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Several Government Departments have responsibility for aspects of GM Policy and these are: Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government which has responsibility for the deliberate release of GM's into the environment including for crop cultivation; Department of Health and Children which has responsibility for GM food safety and consumer protection; Department of Enterprise Trade...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children, drafted regulations that would require an indication of country of origin on sheep, pig and poultry meat. The draft regulations were notified to the European Commission in December 2008. While the Commission has adopted a negative opinion on the proposal, it has afforded us the opportunity to provide further...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Food advertising issues are primarily the remit of the Minister for Health and Children. At EU level, Regulation 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims came into force in July 2007. The main aim of the Regulation is to allow consumers to make informed food choices, by ensuring that they receive accurate information and are not misled. Claims for health benefits will have to be adequately...

Written Answers — Health Promotion Strategy: Health Promotion Strategy (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Obesity is, I believe, an immensely important issue for the health of our society and requires a multi-faceted response as indicated in the Report of the National Taskforce on Obesity. The recommendations relevant to my Department have been addressed by way of specific healthy food initiatives such as the enhanced promotion of school milk and a new national initiative to promote the...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: My Department has consistently promoted food research through direct funding of public good research under the FIRM, the Food Institutional Research Measure, and encouragement of cross Departmental and agency initiatives. In November 2007 an amount of €5.5m was awarded to a Teagasc led research consortium in the area of marine functional foods. This followed a joint call for research...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Farm Improvement Scheme (FIS) introduced in 2007 extended grant-aid to feeding systems and increased the specific investment ceilings for milking machines and bulk milk tanks from €16,000 to €40,000 for milking machines and to €25,000 for bulk milk tanks.

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: My Department is actively working with relevant stakeholders to progress a herd health initiative to deal with non — regulated diseases and conditions in a comprehensive and integrated manner. The initiative has been proposed to enable Ireland achieve international best practice in the area of animal health and is intended to complement existing animal health programmes. My officials have...

Written Answers — Sheep Industry: Sheep Industry (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Sheep Strategy Implementation Group reported in April 2007 and addressed the various recommendations of the Sheep Industry Strategy Group. The Implementation Group recognised that many of the recommendations fell to be implemented by the industry itself but my Department and the state agencies under my aegis are also playing an active role. Progress is being made in implementing the...

Written Answers — Food Safety: Food Safety (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The poultry and eggs quality assurance schemes are working well and have helped to alleviate consumer concerns as regards the sourcing and quality of product. In excess of 80% of eggs sold at retail level are covered by the Egg Quality Assurance Scheme (QAS) which is accredited to EN45011 which is the European standard for bodies operating certification systems such as quality assurance...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The annual forestry premium increased by 15% from 2007, with a maximum payment of up to €574 per hectare per annum paid over 20 years. Under the new FEPS an additional premium of up to €200 per hectare for five years is available to farmers in REPS who join FEPS. The target of 30% broadleaf planting has been achieved in 2005 and 2006 and this broadleaf planting target remains in place...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Following a full review and consultation with the sector, the Forest Environmental Payments Scheme (FEPS) has been amended and has been rolled out as an established scheme. The threshold of 8 hectares has been reduced to 5 hectares for small farms (less than 30ha), attracting a €150/ha rate for plantations between 5 and 8 ha, and €200/ha thereafter. At the other end of the scale, a...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The review of the main elements of the 1946 Forestry Act has now been completed and draft Heads of a Forestry Bill have been prepared. The draft Scheme of the Forest Bill, along with the Screening Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) and Memorandum for Government have been prepared and will be submitted to Government shortly for approval to send to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for...

Written Answers — Farmers Markets: Farmers Markets (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Bord Bia as part of its function to promote marketing opportunities continually assists producers and market organisers on sales, marketing, product development, consumer aspects. It has taken the lead in publishing a guide on 'Alternative Routes to Market'. This provides step-by-step plans, checklists and guidelines to assist growers and food entrepreneurs who wish to set up in business...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Bord Bia continues to operate Quality Assurance Schemes for beef, lamb, pigmeat, poultry and eggs. At present there are more than 25,000 certified farms in the Beef Quality Assurance Scheme and close to 4,000 members in the Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme. Horticulture schemes are also in place. Deputies will have seen the increasing display of the Bord Bia Quality Assurance logo on a range...