Results 1-20 of 16,532 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: Assisting the next generation to take over the farm, when the time is right to do so, is one of my priorities to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the family farm. There are strong supports in place to support succession and the intergenerational transfer of family farms, with support through our CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) and a range of national taxation measures. The new Common...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: I am acutely aware of the pressures being experienced by farmers because of the exceptional and prolonged wet weather over the last few months. In responding to these concerns, I have taken several steps to minimise the effects of the current pressures and to support farmers. My Department paused non-essential farm inspections earlier this month until 22nd of April. I requested that...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: In March 2022 I established the National Fodder and Food Security Committee. The remit of the Committee is to prepare an industry response, contingency plans and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises through difficult periods. In recent months, in recognition of the ongoing and challenging weather conditions, I asked the Chairman to convene the Committee to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: Ireland experienced an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in March 2001. On 22nd March 2001, the case was confirmed in a sheep flock near Jenkinstown County Louth. The only way to contain any further incursion of the disease in the country was to cull a large number of animals in the Cooley Peninsula, near the source of the outbreak. It is estimated that the culling within the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Slaughtering (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: Irish farmers, fishers and agri-food companies produce world-class food and products to the highest international standards of food safety and quality. Our food safety and traceability systems are critical to supporting the export of our produce across the globe. Approximately 30 Local Authority Veterinary Inspectors carry out food safety duties at some 500 food businesses; these are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: EU discussions on Nature Restoration Law are led by the Council of Environment Ministers at EU level and the Minister for Housing and Local Government at national level. An agreement on the EU Nature Restoration Law has not yet been reached at EU Council. There are therefore no implications for the agriculture sector at this point. Should the proposal be adopted, the legal obligation...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: I am delighted that the application for a PGI for boxty has been submitted. Geographical Indications identify a product whose quality, reputation or other characteristics are linked to its geographical origin. Boxty is a traditional locally produced dish which is a great use of potatoes which have long been a staple of the Irish diet. It is deeply rooted in our heritage and I am eager to see...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: Under current European Commission rules, applications for registration of food product names as Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) may only be submitted by groups who work with the products concerned. Bord Bia is the named applicant on behalf of Irish producers and processors for the PGI for Irish Grass Fed Beef which I am delighted to say was registered by the European Commission last...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: Let me say at the outset that I am fully committed to the promotion and retention of the family farm model in Ireland. It is the heartbeat of our rural economy and the centre of all my major initiatives as Minister including of course the almost €10 billion of investment on Irish farms under the CAP Strategic Plan. It was also core to the development of a 10-year strategy for the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Bodies (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: Advancing the role of women in our agriculture sector is a key priority of mine as Minister. I am pleased to advise that the Women in Agriculture Action Plan is progressing well since I launched it in January. The Group established to implement the Plan has met four times to date and will continue to meet on a quarterly basis. Good progress has been made across the 12 action points,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tillage Sector (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: I am acutely aware of the challenges experienced by growers due to the prolonged and exceptional wet weather conditions. The past few months have been very challenging for tillage farmers. Thankfully the weather has improved, and tillage operations and the planting of spring crops are re-commencing as soil conditions continue to improve. There is still a planting window for crops, but I...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horticulture Sector (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: The horticulture industry makes a valuable contribution to the Irish economy. Many citizens depend on the sector for their livelihoods and for access to fresh local quality produce and plants. My Department continues to support the horticulture sector in Ireland with a range of initiatives. The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector grant...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tree Remediation (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: I am aware that as ash dieback disease progresses nationally roadside ash trees will become an issue of increasing importance. As a matter of law, the care and management of trees adjacent to roads is the responsibility of the landowner on whose land the roadside trees are growing. It is advisable that landowners make themselves aware of the full legal extent of their land ownership and of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: I am acutely aware of the pressures being experienced by farmers because of the exceptional and prolonged wet weather over the last few months. In responding to these concerns, I have taken several steps to minimise the effects of the current pressures and to support farmers. My Department paused non-essential farm inspections earlier this month until 22nd of April. I requested that the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: Importers in Ireland are already prohibited from importing roundwood from areas known to be affected by quarantine bark beetle species. The only area internationally where imports into Ireland of coniferous roundwood with bark is permitted is from a specific UK Government authority assigned ‘Pest Free Area’ (PFA) in the West of Scotland. My officials engage closely with...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 93 together. It is the case that there has been a decline in afforestation in recent years. In 2020 2,434 hectares of land were afforested, with 2,061 hectares in 2021, 2,273 hectares in 2022 and 1,651 hectares in 2023. The Afforestation target for 2024 is 8,000 hectares, and to date this year my Department has received notification of intention...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: The Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy identified areas for further policy development, including the agri-food sector, whilst also outlining the need to ensure consistency between national policy in relation to the circular economy, the bioeconomy and climate action. In relation to interventions to reduce food supply chain losses, my Department has been running a Food Waste...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Land Issues (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: The Programme for Government in 2020 committed to a national land use review which includes all land types such as farmland, forests, and peatlands. The review aims to examine the optimal land use choices which will help contribute to and inform policy. The review aims to balance environmental, social, and economic considerations. It also includes consideration of emissions to air and water,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Control of Horses (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: The Control of Horses Act 1996 provides powers to local authorities enabling them to control stray and wandering horses in their geographical areas. My Department provides funding to local authorities as a contribution towards the costs incurred by them, in operation of the Act. Enforcement of the Control of Horses Act 1996 is a matter for the relevant local authority, in this case Cork City...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: I was delighted that Irish Grass Fed Beef was registered as an all-island Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in December 2023. This means that producers and processors from across the island of Ireland whose products have been officially verified as meeting the product specification will be eligible to market their Irish Grass Fed Beef products bearing the PGI symbol. Only the best food...