Results 101-120 of 4,571 for speaker:Trevor Sargent

Organic Farming. (26 Nov 2009)

Trevor Sargent: No. Obviously, the price is higher than the conventional price in the shops, but not much higher in my experience. However, the Deputy will agree it is a good return for the farmer to receive 45 cent per litre. It may be difficult to rationalise why more people do not choose the organic option, given the 45 cent price.

Organic Farming. (26 Nov 2009)

Trevor Sargent: I do not want the Deputy throwing cold water on the option and it does not help anyone to rationalise the reasons in that way. Some farmers may be familiar with existing arrangements with their co-operatives. Only two dairies operate under the organic system, one of which is a good deal larger than the other. There are hopes for another operation closer to the Border. Ironically, this...

Organic Farming. (26 Nov 2009)

Trevor Sargent: From where did the Deputy get that idea?

Organic Farming. (26 Nov 2009)

Trevor Sargent: I am surprised the Deputy is ignoring the people of Arklow when he refers to flooding.

Organic Farming. (26 Nov 2009)

Trevor Sargent: The Deputy may be referring to the fact that it might be better to grow organic food here rather than importing it from far away locations. The no-till method is quite in keeping with organic methods. If the Deputy is serious about the incomes and welfare of farmers, he should consider what the market wants. The fact that we are obliged to import 70% of the organic produce sold in this...

Organic Farming. (26 Nov 2009)

Trevor Sargent: Organic farming has continually proven to be extremely efficient in respect of its carbon footprint. This is because it is based on working with nature, minimising inputs and taking advantage of the natural benefits that exist.

Organic Farming. (26 Nov 2009)

Trevor Sargent: That company cannot get everything right.

Food Safety. (26 Nov 2009)

Trevor Sargent: My Department had analyses conducted at the Irish Equine Centre on ten batches of imported poultry this year. This was specifically in the context of the gas flushing of poultry meat. The results of these analyses are presently being assessed. Further, more detailed, information has been sought from the testing laboratory in order to provide a fuller picture of the microbiological status of...

Farming and Agri-Food Sector: Statements (25 Nov 2009)

Trevor Sargent: I thank all those who contributed to this debate, although I share with Opposition Deputies the wish that we had more time. My colleague, Deputy Mary Alexandra White, is one of many Deputies from both sides of the House who is disappointed at being unable contribute. We all agree this has been a difficult year for farming families and farm incomes. It is cold comfort to the many farmers...

Farming and Agri-Food Sector: Statements (25 Nov 2009)

Trevor Sargent: There are sheep farmers in north Dublin as well.

Farming and Agri-Food Sector: Statements (25 Nov 2009)

Trevor Sargent: The Deputy must be very rich if he thinks what has been spent is nothing.

Bovine Disease Controls. (19 Nov 2009)

Trevor Sargent: Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Teachta as an ceist tábhachtach seo a árdú. I shall investigate the feasibility of the cage trapping described by Deputy White after delivering my reply. A considerable amount of research which has been conducted over the years both by my Department and elsewhere has shown that the eradication of bovine TB is not a practicable proposition in...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (11 Nov 2009)

Trevor Sargent: At present EU food labelling legislation is harmonised by Council Directive 2000/13/EC, transposed in 2002, with several amendments since. In January 2008, the European Commission presented its proposals on updating and harmonising this legislation. The proposal is still under discussion. This proposal consolidated existing legislation in the area of food labelling and introduced new...

Written Answers — Food Safety Regulations: Food Safety Regulations (3 Nov 2009)

Trevor Sargent: At present EU food labelling legislation is harmonised by Council Directive 2000/13/EC, transposed in 2002, with several amendments since. These regulations apply to prepackaged foods whether produced in Ireland or elsewhere. These regulations include a provision which requires that prepackaged foods carry a date of minimum durability on the label. The date of minimum durability is defined as...

Written Answers — Food Safety Authority: Food Safety Authority (3 Nov 2009)

Trevor Sargent: I propose to take Questions Nos. 528 to 531, inclusive, together. The paper produced by the European Economic and Social Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment and the January 2008 proposals on labelling are freely available on the Internet. I have arranged for details of the paper and the proposals to be sent to the Deputy's office. I have also arranged for the...

Seanad: Farm Household Incomes (29 Oct 2009)

Trevor Sargent: Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil don Seanadóir as an cheist seo a ardú. Tá an-suim agam sa cheist, go mór mhór nuair a deireann sé go bhfuil ceardaí ag dul thar fór. Caithfear a admháil chomh maith go bhfuil an-chuid airgead i gceist atá ag dul i dtreo na tionsclaíochta bia agus iascaireachta. Nuair a cuirtear airgead náisiúnta agus airgead na hEorpa le chéile táimid...

Seanad: Farm Household Incomes (29 Oct 2009)

Trevor Sargent: I acknowledge that farm families are under great pressure. The Senator may have read in today's Irish Farmers' Journal the comparisons being made between the challenges faced in the 1980s and the challenges faced today. One could argue that the challenges are even greater today because in the 1980s there were more farmers and perhaps more options. Since that time a more dominant role is...

Seanad: Crisis Pregnancy Services (29 Oct 2009)

Trevor Sargent: Perish the day that I would give a trite reply.

Seanad: Crisis Pregnancy Services (29 Oct 2009)

Trevor Sargent: I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, who I met yesterday to discuss this and other issues. I thank the Senator for raising this issue as it affords me an opportunity to highlight the important work done by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency to ensure crisis pregnancy counselling is available free of charge to any woman...

Seanad: Crisis Pregnancy Services (29 Oct 2009)

Trevor Sargent: I take on board the Senator's comments and will directly convey to the Minister the great importance of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency unit at Portiuncula Hospital. As much as I would like to offer a definitive reply in this regard, it is not possible to do so in advance of the Estimates. However, I have no doubt that due consideration will be given, in assigning budgetary priorities, to the...