Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1186: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to support farm families in order to maximise their choice as to the way they farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47648/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1191: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to ensure that farmers have both the freedom to farm and access to all necessary supports, regardless of which path they choose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47653/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1186 and 1191 together.

The State's role is to facilitate a climate that will help to maintain a core of competitive, full-time farmers, while at the same time providing an economic environment which enables smaller scale producers to avail of both on and off-farm opportunities to secure their future. The various measures under the AgriVision 2015 Action Plan, the Agriculture Chapter of Towards 2016 and the National Development Plan 2007-2013 are directed towards ensuring that full or part- time farmers have the necessary supports they need.

Annual expenditure of almost €2 billion on direct payments, -including the Single Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas payments and REPS- is made by my Department to help achieve the objective of protecting farmers' incomes and of maintaining the optimal number of family farms. In 2007, these net payments amounted to 71% of operating surplus in agriculture while the comparable figure in 2008 was 82%.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1187: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to significantly reduce the regulatory burdens faced by farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47649/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1239: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in the Programme for Government proposal to vigorously pursue the simplification agenda at EU level, with the immediate aim of bringing about change in the EU cross compliance checks system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47702/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1240: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to minimise and streamline the financial and regulatory issues facing small farms and farm businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47703/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1241: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in the Programme for Government proposal to use the 2008 CAP health check to best advantage in terms of reducing the burden of paperwork on farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47704/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1187 and 1239 to 1241, inclusive, together.

In line with the Programme for Government, my Department is actively engaged both nationally and with the Commission and like-minded Member States to pursue the simplification agenda on an ongoing basis and, in particular, to bring about a rationalisation of the cross-compliance arrangements and to streamline the financial and regulatory issues facing farmers.

The introduction of the Single Payment Scheme in 2005 dramatically reduced the paperwork for farmers in applying for the scheme. It also did away with the complex rules associated with the previous coupled schemes relating to retention periods, stocking densities and the like. To further reduce paperwork for farmers, my Department introduced an on-line application system for the Single Payment and Disadvantaged Areas schemes for 2007 to facilitate the application process.

My Department also carried out a full review of the inspection arrangements and checklists for the Single Payment Scheme with a view to simplification of the arrangements (including paperwork) where possible while, at the same time, ensuring compliance with the regulatory requirements. The cross-compliance regime is a critical element in delivering payments in excess of €1.7bn annually in Ireland. The number of inspections is around 7,000 annually, down from 18,000 before decoupling was introduced in 2005. This is a major simplification achievement.

Following an EU Commission review in 2007 on the operation of cross compliance, I was successful in securing a number of legislative changes to simplify the system. These included the introduction of a one-day availability rule for land and clarification of the cross-compliance responsibilities on this issue. In addition standard rules were introduced for the non-imposition of sanctions for minor breaches of requirements and for the waiving of sanctions under €100.

The CAP Health Check provided further achievements on simplification of the administration of Schemes and of cross-compliance.

There was agreement that the €100 threshold below which a cross compliance penalty need not be imposed would apply separately to the Single Payment Scheme and Rural Development measures.

The requirement to deduct modulation from the full payment due to the farmer and then subsequently refund that element relating to the first €5,000 was abolished. This helps both the farmer and my Department. It means that the farmer will not have to wait up to 9 months for the refund and my Department will not have the administrative burden associated with first making the deduction and then doing the refund.

We were also successful in doing away with the requirement for compulsory set-aside and with the complex management rules associated with it. The farmer will be able to draw down full payment without putting land into set-aside. Farmers will also be able to avoid penalties associated with the set-aside rules.

In addition, the restriction on the transfer of National Reserve entitlements will be removed. Under the old regime, entitlements from the National Reserve had to be used each year for 5 years before they could be transferred. They can now be transferred with or without land in the same way as standard entitlements.

Usage rules have also been simplified. The requirement that a farmer must have used 80% of his standard entitlements in one calendar year before he could transfer entitlements without lands has been abolished. Moreover, the "use it or lose it rules" have also been streamlined. From 2010, standard and National Reserve entitlements will have a two-year usage rule.

Finally, the CAP Health Check delivered an unambiguous commitment from the Council and the Commission to continue the simplification process. The Czech Presidency has undertaken to continue the simplification process as a priority.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1188: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to invest in developing the new products and new food markets which will bring long-term security for the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47650/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Over the past few years, funding of between €25.3million and €27.7 million has been provided annually to Bord Bia to allow them maintain and increase access to new markets and implement a wide range of successful market development and promotional strategies for the food sector.

Particular emphasis has also been given to promoting research and development and €641 million was committed to Agri-Food Research in the National Development Plan. My Department and its State Bodies actively progress R & D through the Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM), Stimulus and other measures which are orientated towards developing the science base for new ideas to create future opportunities for the food industry.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1189: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to establish a high level strategic inter-Departmental group whose role will be to, on an ongoing basis, identify and work to ease access and fully exploit new overseas markets for Irish food and drink products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47651/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The interdepartmental group has been established and comprises representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Foreign Affairs and Enterprise, Trade and Employment and from Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Iascaigh Mhara. This high level market access group has met on two occasions and is currently pursuing a two pronged approach of identifying and exploiting new market opportunities and addressing market barriers issues as provided for under its terms of reference. My Department together with Bord Bia and diplomatic missions abroad, has been particularly active in recent months in relation to market access issues arising from the dioxin contamination incident.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1190: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to invest in improving competitiveness, enhancing the environment here and promoting diversification on and off the farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47652/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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This commitment is progressed primarily through the AgriVision 2015 Action Plan which detailed 167 actions to be undertaken to assist the competitiveness and sustainability of the agri-food industry. By end December 2008, 98% of these actions had been implemented. To continue to achieve these objectives, extensive funding is provided through the Vote, the National Development Plan (NDP) and the Rural Development Programme (RDP).

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1192: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to introduce a new on-farm investment scheme, which will include aid for investment in housing, handling and related facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47654/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Farm Improvement Scheme, introduced in July 2007, provided grant-aid for investment in housing, handling and related facilities. The Scheme was, however, closed for new applications on 31 October 2007 as applications had reached the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016. Overall expenditure under the Farm Improvement Scheme in 2007 and 2008, was in excess of €12.9 million.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1193: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to fully implement the rural development programme in order that farmers benefit fully from the increased payments and new schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47655/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Following the approval by EU Commission in September 2007 of the detailed Rural Development Programme (RDP), the implementation of the new schemes and increased payment provisions commenced. In recent months, the budgetary situation has resulted in the curtailment of some of these measures.

The total agriculture related RDP expenditure in 2007 was €634 million while to end December 2008 a further €653 million was spent. This expenditure of €1.3 billion is of the order of 22% of the overall total allocation for the seven-year programme and represents a considerable investment by the Government. The 2009 allocation is €647 million.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1194: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to implement measures, including taxation measures, in order to assist farmers in maximising their income from farming and achieving optimum structures and scale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47657/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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A range of measures, which are designed to assist farmers to maximise their income, are included in AV2015, Towards 2016, the NDP and the RDP. As already indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question 47653/08 my Department ensures that almost €2 billion in direct payments issue annually to assist farmers maximise their income from farming.

A number of taxation measures are in place to encourage greater levels of land mobility and early farm transfer. Of particular note are the provisions in Budget 2009 which renewed stamp duty relief for young trained farmers, renewed both the general and the young trained farmers' stock reliefs; renewed stamp duty relief for farm consolidation and the accelerated rate of capital allowances for investment in pollution control facilities.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1195: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to further promote the benefits of the REP scheme and achieve a participation rate of 70,000 farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47658/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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A new REPS 4 scheme was launched in late 2007 as part of the new Rural Development Programme. For the first time, REPS is open to more intensive farmers and this has the potential to bring numbers to the targeted level. The level of participation at the end of 2006, when REPS 3 closed to new applications, was approx 59,000. By 15 May 2008, the closing date for 2008 REPS 4 applications, some 10,700 farmers had applied to join REPS 4. Some 5,000 of those had never been in REPS before. Currently there are in excess of 62,000 in all REP schemes.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1196: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to convert a minimum 5% of acreage to organic farmland by 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47659/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The land area under organic production at the end of 2008 was 44,751 hectares compared to 41,122 hectares at the end of 2007, an increase of almost 9%. This represents slightly over 1% of the total utilisable agricultural area.

To assist in achieving the Programme for Government target, my Department launched its Organic Farming Action Plan 2008-2012 in April 2008. The Plan was drawn up by officials within my Department in conjunction with officials from Bord Bia and Teagasc, along with input from all the stakeholders on the National Steering Group and sub Groups. The Action Plan has four main objectives: to increase production in line with market trends, to increase the knowledge base, to develop the organic market at home and abroad and encourage the development of public procurement opportunities for organic products. There are 64 actions listed in the Plan, which is reviewed on an ongoing basis by the National Steering Group for the Development of the Organic Sector. Some of the 64 actions recommended, including the allocation of additional milk quota to organic producers, have already been completed and significant progress has been made on a number of others. Teagasc also produced its first Organic Production Business Plan in 2008 and many of the actions outlined in this have been incorporated into my Department's Action Plan.

The financial incentives are in place to encourage new participants into the organic sector. The new Organic Farming Scheme, under the Rural Development Programme 2007 to 2013, aims at encouraging producers to respond to the market demand for organic food. It was launched in August 2007 with a 17% increase in payment rates in line with the Towards 2016 Agreement. One significant change in the new Programme is that organic producers can obtain organic support payments without having to join REPS. This is designed to encourage small-scale horticultural producers to convert to organic production, and also conventional tillage producers to convert part or even all of their holdings. Organic producers will still, of course, be able to join REPS as well, and I will be encouraging them to do so.

The new capital Grant-Aid Schemes were launched in 2007 June and they provide grant aid for investments by farmers and processors in equipment and facilities. The Schemes provide grant aid of 40% of the cost up to a maximum grant of €60,000 in the case of on-farm investments and €500,000 for investments off-farm, over the lifetime of the Schemes. In 2008, almost €1.5m was provided in grant aid for investment in equipment and facilities.

One of the main initiatives to encourage farmers to adopt organic farming methods is through the organic demonstration farm programme. The programme was once again a huge success in 2008 and was expanded to include a total of 21 farms in 2008. In keeping with the procedure adopted in previous years, new farms were introduced into the programme to give a wider geographical and sectoral spread than heretofore.

National Organic Week is now in its fourth year and continues to grow from strength to strength. The objective of National Organic Week is to raise awareness among consumers and the public in general as to what is meant by organic food, its benefits and where to buy it. Other initiatives in 2008 included the hosting of a National Organic Food Conference in the Waterford Institute of Technology in September 2008 and the National Organic Awards. The National Organic Food Conference brought together many key players from across the industry including producers, processors, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and restaurateurs. The National Organic Awards were held at the prestigious SHOP retail event in the Royal Dublin Society and was an ideal opportunity for producers to promote their products.

The availability of advice and training has increased greatly in the last couple of years with training courses now available countrywide. This development, allied to the expanding demonstration farm programme, should further facilitate producers considering the organic option.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1197: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to introduce a new animal health bill to consolidate and amend previous legislation to reflect the changed disease status of the animals here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47660/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1198: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to establish biosecurity Ireland as a division within his Department with a remit to ensure the exclusion, eradication or effective management of risks posed by diseases and pests to the economy, the environment and to human and animal health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47661/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1204: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to promote the highest standards of animal welfare at all levels of the food production chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47667/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1205: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to introduce a comprehensive animal welfare bill, updating existing legislation, to ensure that the welfare of animals is properly protected and that the penalties for offenders are increased significantly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47668/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1207: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to consolidate responsibility for the welfare of all animals including non-farm animals within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47670/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1208: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to review and consolidate where necessary all legislation governing the welfare of non-farm animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47671/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1197, 1198, 1204, 1205, 1207 and 1208 together.

A good deal of work has been undertaken on drafting the new Animal Health and Welfare Bill which will give effect to a number of commitments in the area of animal health and welfare contained in the Programme for Government. In particular the new Bill will amend and consolidate previous legislation to reflect the changed disease status of our animals and update existing legislation, to ensure that the welfare of all animals (including non-farm animals) is properly protected and that penalties for offenders are increased significantly. The proposed legislation will provide for the consolidation of responsibility for the welfare of all animals within my Department and the promotion of the highest standards of animal welfare at all levels of the food production chain.

My officials have met with a number of organisations that made submissions on the draft Bill following the public consultation process initiated by me last year. This element of the consultation process provided an opportunity for parties to elaborate on their respective submissions and account will be taken of all comments received in drafting the legislation.

With regard to the commitment to establish 'Biosecurity Ireland', the position is that my Department has comprehensive arrangements in place for the development, promotion and delivery of biosecurity measures, which play a vital part in preventing the spread of animal diseases and provides for coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders in dealing with any disease outbreaks. The new Animal Health and Welfare Bill aims to enhance arrangements for the prevention, control and eradication of animal diseases and will include powers to apply a range of controls to deal with all existing or potential animal diseases and outbreaks or the risks associated with diseases or outbreaks. Notwithstanding the foregoing, consideration is being given to how those functions might be better performed by a new division of my Department taking account of best international practice and experience and Ireland's place within the EU and our application of EU rules.

My Department's Veterinary and Agriculture Laboratories at Backweston continue to increase their range of diagnostic services to underpin any challenges to animal, plant health or food safety and deliver consistent principles and approaches in the area of biosecurity.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1199: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to seek to negotiate the establishment of an all-Ireland genetically modified free zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47662/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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It has been clarified that this commitment relates to the growing of GM crops and not to the import or consumption of GM food or feed. Consideration on how best to advance this commitment is ongoing.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1200: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to further exploit the potential of existing animal traceability systems for the marketing and labelling of food products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47663/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Irish food safety is guaranteed by the rigorous standards, processes and audits required under the European Food and Feed Hygiene legislation and the Department's animal traceability system, which supports quality assurances schemes developed and operated through Bord Bia and the industry and related promotional measures.

Three traceability projects which can be used to assist marketing are being funded by FIRM:

Development of a protocol for Bio Track- a biometric based animal tracking and tracing system

Enhanced traceability of poultrymeat using biometrics and e-tracking technology (Avian Bio Track)

Biomarkers to Authenticate Irish Grass-fed Beef.

These traceability projects are proceeding satisfactorily and are due to be completed in 2009.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1201: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to extend mandatory country of origin food labelling to sheep, pig and poultry meat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47664/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1224: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to extend country of origin labelling requirements in respect of pig meat and poultry meat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47687/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1201 and 1224 together.

In December 2007, my Department submitted to the European Commission draft national legislation that would require the country of origin to be indicated on pigmeat, poultrymeat and sheepmeat and on food products containing over 70% of these meats. During the past year my Department has been in extensive communication with the Commission with a view to justifying and pressing the case for the proposed legislation. The Commission, however, adopted a negative opinion in relation to our proposal on the grounds that it was not consistent with the EU labelling directive. This negative opinion was formally adopted at a meeting of the EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health in December 2008.

My Department will continue to press for compulsory country of origin labelling in the context of the Commission's proposal for a new regulation on food information. The Department of Health and Children is the lead Department on this subject.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1202: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to increase nutritional awareness as part of food advertising and marketing here through the development of nutritional and calorific labelling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47665/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Food labelling legislation and nutritional claims on food come within the remit of my colleague, the Minister of Health and Children and are primarily covered by EU Regulations. Under Article 13 of EU Regulation 1924/06, Member States are responsible for providing the European Commission with national lists of health claims, based on scientific evidence of effectiveness, by 31 January 2008. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will then assess submissions from all Member States. By 31st January 2010, the European Commission will adopt a final list of permitted health claims. The claims on the Community list will be the only health claims allowed on food products from that date onwards. However, two national programmes which are operated on behalf of my Department — the School Milk Scheme and the Food Dude Scheme — convey the benefits of good nutritional intake. The school milk scheme has a range of milk products on offer including flavoured milk, low-fat and fortified options to encourage milk consumption. The National Food Dude Programme has among its objectives the increased consumption of fresh fruit & vegetables among school children during school time and at home as well as a change in parental behaviour towards purchase and consumption of fresh fruit & vegetables. This programme which is being introduced on a phased basis has reached some 1000 schools to date.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1203: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to expedite the delivery of a national strategy for tackling obesity and increase support for the promotion of healthy food options among young people through programmes such as the school milk scheme and the food dudes programme for encouraging the increased consumption of fruit and vegetables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47666/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health and Children has primary responsibility for the National Strategy for Tackling Obesity.

My Department has a role in promoting healthy food production and consumption. Following favourable reaction to the Irish pilot Food Dude programme (including an award by the WHO), a Healthy Eating Initiative was launched in February 2007 to make the Food Dude programme available nationally in primary schools. The programme, which is managed by Bord Bia, uses repeat tasting of fruit and vegetables, rewards and peer models to effect attitudinal and behavioural change. To date the programme has reached over 100,000 children and over 3 million pieces of fruit & vegetables have been distributed through the programme to date.

The EU is also working on a proposal for national school fruit schemes, to be introduced at the start of the 2009/2010 school year. The regulatory provisions are modelled on Ireland's Food Dude Scheme, the success of which was repeatedly acknowledged during the negotiations. The EU budget for the scheme is limited, with an indicative allocation of €851,000 for Ireland in the first year, but the Commission has indicated that the overall budget of €90m may be increased when the scheme is reviewed on the basis of the experience gained from implementing it. Work has commenced on planning to get optimum value from the funding available.

The School Milk Scheme, which was re-launched in 2006, continues to promote a positive nutritional message.

My Department is also working with the Department of Health and Children on the Irish input for the High Level Group set up under the Strategy for Europe on Nutrition, Overweight and Obesity related health issues. This will include research being funded by the Department on reducing the salt content of foods under the FIRM programme and proposals under the Department/Health Research Board initiative.

This Department also funds Food Consumption databases under FIRM. The findings of a study of primary school children study have been taken up by policy makers, nutritionists and industry in tackling obesity. The findings of subsequent study benchmarking the dietary intakes of a nationally representative sample of Irish teenagers, which was carried out by the Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance (IUNA) at UCD and UCC with funding under FIRM and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, were highlighted at an open workshop in January 2008. Further funding was also awarded in December 2007 under the joint DAFF/Health Research Board Food for Health Research Initiative for a research programme to develop new and existing food consumption databases.

As a significant strategic contribution to the campaign to reduce salt levels in food, this Department awarded funding of over €2 million in 2006 for 3 research projects under FIRM. This initiative includes funding for research into new products with lower salt levels, with particular emphasis on breads, ready meals and snack foods. The research is proceeding satisfactorily and ongoing engagement with the food industry is a feature of the research outputs.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1206: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to continue to expand and develop the herd health policies here to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47669/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1217: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to introduce a new herd health initiative to deal with non-regulated diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47680/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1206 and 1217 together.

Good progress is being made in progressing a herd health initiative to deal with non-regulated diseases in a comprehensive manner. Following consultations in recent months with relevant stakeholders including farming, industry, service providers and relevant state agency representatives, there is broad agreement on the establishment of an industry-led, national co-ordinating body to be known as Animal Health Ireland. This body will deal with non-statutory diseases and will operate as a partnership between the relevant stakeholders and Government with the aim of enhancing on-farm productivity and providing the necessary infrastructure to deal with the challenges posed to the Irish livestock industry by global competition.

Animal Health Ireland will be managed by a Steering Group that will act as the Board of the organisation. In November last I appointed Mr Mike Magan to chair the interim Steering Group. The other members of the Group appointed by me comprise individuals with competencies in areas such as livestock farming, veterinary science, agricultural economics and international marketing. The Steering Group will report to a Stakeholders Group, which will be representative of the founding organisations that have financed the initiative and will have overall responsibility for the strategic direction of the organisation. There will also be a small number of Executive staff with responsibility for implementing agreed strategies.

The establishment of Animal Health Ireland, which is modelled on successful international examples, in particular in Australia and the Nordic countries will facilitate Ireland achieving international best practice in the area of animal health, which all stakeholders agree will be a critical contributor to the competitiveness of Irish agriculture and optimal farm efficiency and profitability.

I will formally launch Animal Health Ireland at an inaugural meeting of the Stakeholder Group tomorrow.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1209: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to continue to push for welfare and other non-trade issues to be included in World Trade Organisation negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47672/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The inclusion of animal welfare and other non-trade concerns in WTO negotiations are pursued on an ongoing basis with the Commission and other Member States.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1210: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to ensure that beef processing facilities here are substantially upgraded through the full roll-out of the €50 million investment programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47673/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1221: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to invest in a programme to upgrade processing facilities in the sheep sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47684/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1210 and 1221 together.

The Capital Investment Aid Scheme for the beef and sheepmeat primary processing sectors was launched in April 2007, with the aims of achieving efficiencies in processing and improving market sustainability, competitiveness and added value.

The process of examination and evaluation of project proposals has been completed. Enterprise Ireland is in contact with companies about the details of awards and an announcement will be made by my Department in due course.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1211: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to continue to support the suckler herd quality and welfare scheme to ensure that the herd is maintained at its optimum level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47674/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The 5-year Animal Welfare, Recording and Breeding Scheme for Suckler Herds came into operation in January 2008. It aims to encourage and underpin the adoption of high standards of animal welfare in suckler herds and to improve the quality of breeding cattle in the beef sector. Almost 54,000 suckler farmers have joined and 85% of all the suckler cows in the country are now covered by the scheme.

My Department paid out €33 million under the scheme in 2008. It is expected that a further €44 million will be paid out in 2009. Section WRCCC follows.