Results 121-140 of 16,627 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Charlie McConalogue

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

Charlie McConalogue: My Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment engage very closely on the EU-Mercosur negotiations and have done so throughout out the 20 year negotiating process of this agreement. As the Deputy is aware, while the European Commission reached political agreement in its trade negotiations with the Mercosur trade bloc in June 2019, due to concerns raised by a number of...

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

Charlie McConalogue: The Independent Irish Grown Wool Council was established in April 2023 following recommendations from the Wool Feasibility study. To support its establishment, my Department committed financial assistance of €30,000 in seed funding. However, my Department does not have a seat on the Council nor does the Council report to me. I am aware that following their recent AGM, the Irish...

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

Charlie McConalogue: Ireland has established a range of ambitious climate change targets across all sectors. The targets for agriculture are particularly challenging. Nevertheless, emissions from agriculture are already reducing. EPA inventory data shows that greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture decreased by 1.2% in 2022, driven principally by a 14% reduction in the use of synthetic fertilisers. While...

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

Charlie McConalogue: This government has committed €1.3 billion of funding to the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 in order to support our national ambition of 8,000 hectares of afforestation per year. This funding provides unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition to farm income and support the forest industry. My Department has published a Forestry...

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

Charlie McConalogue: The Nitrates Directive (Council Directive 91/676/EEC, as amended) sets out that for each farm, the amount of livestock manure applied to land each year, including by the livestock themselves, cannot exceed an amount containing 170 kg of nitrogen per hectare (N/ha) in the absence of a derogation. It is unfortunately not possible to consider allowing a farmer’s previous years...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I will be bringing a detailed Ash dieback action plan to Cabinet for approval in the very near future. This will outline comprehensive actions by my Department to deal with the issue of ash dieback. Detailed deliberations are taking place to ensure an efficient, appropriate and proportionate response. Furthermore, a subgroup of the Forestry Strategy Consultative Committee has been...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 280 together. As a Minister for Agriculture, I’m acutely aware of the difficulties experienced by both tillage and grassland farmers due to the exceptionally wet weather we have endured since last harvest. Met Éireann data has shown that all stations had rainfall in excess of their Long-Term Average, with stations such as Cork Airport and...

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

Charlie McConalogue: There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to prioritise equine welfare and to build on existing inspectorate supports across the country, ensuring a consistent approach to dealing with horse welfare. My Department provides funding to local authorities as a contribution towards the costs incurred by them in operation of the Control of Horses Act, 1996. Enforcement of the Act is a...

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

Charlie McConalogue: According to Central Statistics Office statistics, there have been only very slight fluctuations in the volume of dairy imports into the country in recent years and there is nothing of noticeable concern. For example the latest CSO statistics for January - February 2024 show that the volume of dairy imports are up 13% on the same period in 2023, but down 8% when compared to the same period in...

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

Charlie McConalogue: According to my Department's central equine database a total of 1998 equines were slaughtered in 2023 in slaughter plants approved by my Department. Of these 162 were first registered to an equine premises in County Cork. In addition, according to my Department’s records a total of 236 equines moved to knackeries (for disposal) in County Cork in 2023.

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: Agriculture Supports (25 Apr 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: Extreme weather events have become more common in recent years and the weather we have experienced since last July is a further indication of the effects of climate change. Modelling for future climate has predicted that these extreme events will continue, particularly with respect to extreme rainfall events in winter and periods of drought in summer. Adaptation to Climate Change in...

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

Charlie McConalogue: The Nitrates Directive (Council Directive 91/676/EEC, as amended) includes a legal provision whereby a Member State can apply for a derogation to facilitate the application of livestock manure to land beyond 170 kg Nitrogen/hectare. Such a derogation must be based on strict scientific criteria and must not prejudice achievement of the Nitrates Directive's objectives. There are...

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

Charlie McConalogue: My Department does not collate statistics on persons who obtain the Green Cert. The Green Cert is delivered by different education providers from across the further education system including Teagasc, Employment and Training Boards and some private providers. All of the providers are accredited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the national agency responsible for validating...

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

Charlie McConalogue: My Department does not conduct bovine genetic evaluations and has no role in reviewing changes to the beef indexes. The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) is the body approved in Ireland in accordance with the relevant EU legislation to conduct testing, genetic evaluation and publication of breeding values for dairy and beef cattle. Whilst I acknowledge the concerns raised in...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I recognize that Ireland's existing commercial forest estate is an important and expanding supply of timber for the construction sector with significant amounts of timber exported to the UK and abroad. The recent COFORD "All Island Roundwood Production Forecast" predicts that the annual potential supply of roundwood timber will increase from around 5.6 million in 2023 to 7.9 million cubic...

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

Charlie McConalogue: My Department has committed to undertaking a mid term review of the current Forestry Programme in 2025. This will be conducted in consultation with all stakeholders. Depending on the outcome of this review, certain proposed changes may be required to be notified to the European Commission under State Aid Rules. These resulting agreed changes will be implemented prior to the end of the current...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I am acutely aware of the significant contribution that on-farm carbon sequestration, particularly through our soils, trees, and hedgerows, can make in the continued viability and sustainability of the agri-food sector. Therefore, I believe it is essential that on all on-farm sequestration is accurately reflected in the National Inventory. My Department will do its upmost to ensure that...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I am acutely aware of the burden of regulation on farmers. I am, of course. also aware of the State's obligations to comply with the law, and the potential serious implications for farm payments of any failure to do so. Against that background, my department's objective is to meet its legal obligations while minimising the burden on farmers. For example, my Department minimises...

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

Charlie McConalogue: Animal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and for the Government. It must be emphasised that primary responsibility for the health and welfare of any kept animals lies with the owner/keeper of these animals and the vast majority of people do so. Neglect of or causing unnecessary suffering to animals is not acceptable in our society. I...