Coveney, SimonWednesday, 16 January 2013 |
Dáil Éireann Debate |
Food Safety Authority Inspections (Continued)
Given the number Deputies who have asked questions, I ask the Chair for some leniency on time.
People will have a copy of my speech, all of which I will not be able to read out in four minutes. I will go as far as I can.
As the House is aware, the results of laboratory tests provided to my Department by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland on 14 January 2013 revealed the presence of non-beef DNA in some beef prod...
I stress that it is national policy on food safety that consumer protection takes priority and that concerns for public health or confidence in food products are brought promptly to public attent...
On receipt of the laboratory results from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland last Monday afternoon and notwithstanding that it said there was no food safety issue involved, my Department commen...
There has been some comment on the sequence of events and I wish to set the record straight. The first samples were taken by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland as part of one of its snapshot s...
I turn to the market response. The companies involved have carried out their own urgent investigation and withdrawn product from the market. In the case of Silvercrest, that amounts to some 10 ...
Primary responsibility for the safety and quality of food placed on the market lies with food business operators who must implement food safety management systems based on HACCP principles. This...
In accordance with the official risk assessment, the plant in question was subject to monthly inspections in 2012 and my Department carried out a full inspection last December.
Under the Department's national residue programme, some 30,000 samples taken at farm and factory level and covering a wide range of foodstuffs are tested annually. These tests normally relate to...
The investigation arising from the DNA findings is continuing and the Department and Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI, will incorporate the results when found to ensure that we maintain the...
I will try to answer those questions as best I can. Some of the answers are not complete yet because we must wait until we have the full facts. In respect of Deputy Ó Cuív's questions, I would be...
We will do it as soon as we can and if I cannot do it, someone from the Department will do it. We need to get the full facts first, be that next week or in a fortnight's time. Obviously, I want t...
The FSAI's press release stated that traces of horse DNA were also detected in batches of raw ingredients including some imported from the Netherlands and Spain. I want to make it clear that doe...
We will name companies and I can assure Deputy Martin Ferris that if there are inappropriate linkages, we will highlight those. As far as I can see, there has been no linkage to date between som...
Labelling is a very complex matter to solve. If there was to be a label on every food product which itemised where every product within that food came from, one would face a very difficult task ...
This problem may have been caused not by a lack of regulations but by a lack of respect for those regulations and the need to enforce them. Common standards across the European Union require full ...
The type of burger concerned was a frozen product comprising 63% meat, with the remaining ingredients including onion and other filler protein. The protein should have been derived from a beef-s...
This incident involved a small segment of the Irish food industry. The frozen burgers concerned were sold predominantly in the Irish and British markets. The vast majority of the beef we export...
We are taking this matter very seriously but it does not give rise to food safety issues. It is not like the dioxin scare in pork or a disease scare in animals. There is no threat to human safe...
In most cases they were minuscule. In one case they comprised 15%, but it subsequently emerged that the label on that product stated that it contained pigmeat. The meat processor concerned contac...
Poultry Industry
Was asked: the position regarding the keeping of fowl in a residential area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
There is no obstacle in the legislation implemented by my Department to the keeping of poultry for domestic use in residential or other areas. My Department has no plans to introduce any such legis...
Coastal Protection
Was asked: the applications for funding that were made by Fingal County Council for coastal protection schemes when this brief was under his Department's remit.
The Coastal Protection & Management functions previously held by my Department were transferred to the Office of Public Works with effect from January 2009 along with any files relating to that are...
Was asked: if he will outline the applications made by Fingal County Council for funding in relation to coastal protection schemes when that brief was under his Department's remit.
The Coastal Protection & Management functions previously held by my Department were transferred to the Office of Public Works with effect from January 2009 along with any files relating to that are...
Regulatory Impact Assessment Numbers
Was asked: the number of regulatory impact assessments that have been carried out by his Department in the past twelve months; and the list of regulatory impact assessments carried out within his Department i...
The necessity to perform regulatory impact assessments did not arise in my Department in the past twelve months.
Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments
Was asked: when a payment for REP scheme 4 will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named commenced REPS 4 in May 2008 and received payments for the first four years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before ...
Was asked: the position regarding the REP scheme 4 payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; when the payment will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named commenced REPS 4 in May 2008 and received payment for the first four years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme a...
Was asked: when payment of REP scheme will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named commenced REPS 4 in January 2008 and received payments for the first four years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007...
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments
Was asked: the position regarding disadvantaged area payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if the payment will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Payment under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued to the person named on 24 December 2012, directly to the nominated bank account.
Was asked: when a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be paid their disadvantaged and suckler cow payments for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
An application under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 12 March 2012, processing of which has recently been finalised. Payment will issue in the coming days...
Was asked: when payment of disadvantaged area scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
While an application under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 10 May 2012, payment has not yet issued as the conditions of the Scheme have not been satisfied...
Was asked: if he intends to reduce the payment on the first 10 hectares of land under the disadvantaged areas scheme to farmers in areas classified as mountain that do not have sheep; the amount of any propos...
As part of the changes made to some schemes implemented by my Department for 2013 under the Budget process, I allocated an additional €5 million for funding payments under the Disadvantaged Areas S...
In that regard, I can confirm that there will be a reduction in the maximum payable area for More and Less Severely Disadvantaged lands from 34 to 30 hectares. This change will have no impact of ...
Was asked: when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal under the 2012 disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Payment under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme has not yet issued as, at this stage, the holding concerned has not yet satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirement...
Was asked: when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive their disadvantaged area scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The application of the person named under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received in my Department after the closing date for receipt of applications. It was, therefore, ...
Was asked: when payment of the disadvantaged area scheme will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
An application under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named 10 April 2012. On processing the application it was established that there was no livestock...
Food Harvest 2020 Strategy
Was asked: the steps he is taking to increase Irish food production; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Food Harvest 2020 (FH2020) is the overall blueprint for the development of the agriculture, food, fisheries and forestry sector for the next decade. As the Deputy will be aware, this report set v...
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications
Was asked: the position regarding an agri-environment options scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
An AEOS 3 application was received in the Johnstown Castle Office of my Department from the person named on 28 November 2012. The closing date for receipt of applications was Friday 7 December and...
Was asked: the position regarding an agri environment option scheme application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Mayo; if payment will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the ma...
The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2011.
Under the EU Regulations governing the...
Was asked: when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their agri environment option scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st November 2010 and full payments totalling €783.84 and €4,703.01 issued ...
Question No. 868 answered with Question No. 865.
Was asked: when applicants will be notified on whether or not they have been accepted into the new agri environment options scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Approximately 10,000 applications were received in my Department’s offices at Johnstown Castle by close of business on Friday December 7, the closing date for submission of applic...
European Union Solidarity Fund
Was asked: if he has explored the possibility of applying to the EU Solidarity Fund as a means of addressing the fodder crisis looming as a result of excessive rainfall in 2012; and if he will make a statemen...
The European Union Solidarity Fund is aimed primarily at providing funding to Member States in the event of a natural disaster.
I am very conscious of the significant problems and pressures that the very heavy rainfall last year has caused for farmers. I also fully appreciate the value and importance of the scheme paymen...
Teagasc and the Agriculture Consultants Association have been very active in providing advice and assistance for farmers affected by the bad weather. A series of public meetings were held across...
Transport of Animals
Was asked: when approval will be granted on the applications submitted for ships for the live export of cattle; the number and type of animals to be transported; the reason for the delay in granting such appr...
The requirements for approval of dedicated vessels for the carriage of cattle by sea are contained in the Diseases of Animals (Carriage of Cattle by Sea) Orders, 1996 and 1998.
A boat (which is currently in Istanbul) is scheduled for re-inspection in mid-January and, subject to a satisfactory report, approval will take place shortly thereafter. The number and type of c...
Air Pollution
Was asked: if he will investigate the damage caused to animal and crops by industries namely the ESB and a multi national alumina industry named in the European Environmental Agency report, in November 2011 r...
Was asked: if he will investigate the cost involved to the agriculture sector in general following the European Environmental Agency findings against the ESB and a multi national alumina industry.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 836 and 837 together.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to written Parliamenta...
Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments
Was asked: when a payment under the suckler welfare scheme will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named registered 17 animals for the 2012 Suckler Scheme in 2012 which included a set of twins. As payment is made on the number of eligible suckler cows in a herd for a given year, only...
Payment was made in respect of 11 of these animals on 24 December 2012. Issues have been identified in relation to the remaining 5 animals and a letter has issued to the person named on 10 Janua...
Was asked: the position regarding farm payment suckler cow payment scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named registered 10 animals for the Suckler Welfare Scheme in 2012 and payment in full issued on 24th December 2012.
Departmental Bodies Abolition
Was asked: if he will provide in tabular form the number of agencies, bodies, boards, quangos or other entities, which are financed from, answerable to or established by his Department that have been abolishe...
There are currently 12 State Bodies that fall under the aegis of my Department:
1. Aqua Licensing Appeals Board
2. Bord Bia
3. Bord na gCon
4. Bord Iasca...
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
Was asked: the position regarding the outstanding agri-environment option scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named is not a participant in the agri-environments options scheme. However the person named did commence REPS 4 in June 2009 and has received payments for the first three years of their...
Was asked: when payment of the agri-environment options scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2011 and has received full payment totalling €909.15 in respe...
Was asked: the position regarding an agri-environmental options scheme 2 payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2011.
Under the EU Regulations governing the S...
Fisheries Protection
Was asked: if he will supply a timeline, with documentary evidence of steps taken and decisions made by the management cell to deal with continued high sea lice levels recorded at a salmon farming operation (...
The specific measures for the control of sea lice are set out in the “Strategy for improved pest control on Irish salmon farms” published by my Department in 2008. In accordance with this Strateg...
Was asked: the number of retired naval personnel currently employed by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the number of persons employed by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority that are currently in receipt of a pension from the Department of Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 855 and 856 together.
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is an independent statutory body and the question relates to operational aspects in w...
Was asked: the next stage of development regarding the mackerel negotiations between the EU and Norway with Iceland and the Faroe Islands; his views on the reason they have not succeeded to date; the way he w...
Coastal States negotiations on mackerel management arrangements for 2013, involving, Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and the EU (with the Russian Federation as observers) failed to reach agreeme...
This dispute has been ongoing since 2009 when Iceland who previously had little or no landings of mackerel embarked on an unapproved and irresponsible course of setting unilateral TACS culminatin...
While accepting that the migratory pattern of mackerel has changed in recent years, and that a modest increase in shares of this stock for both Iceland and the Faroes is warranted, there is no sc...
Despite numerous meetings convened since 2009 Iceland and the Faroe islands continue with their unjustifiable demands for shares of 15% while at the same time fishing 23% of the stock each. They ...
A healthy mackerel stock is essential for the Irish pelagic fleet, pelagic processing industry and for employment in the wider coastal communities. The present situation is therefore of major con...
At the European Council of Fisheries Ministers, I will continue to take every opportunity to influence and convince all parties to resolve the issue not least because there is a real possibility ...
In this context Ireland are currently hosting the EU/ Norway negotiations at the National Seafood Centre in Clonakilty this week, where it is expected that decisions on the TAC and quota will be ...
Was asked: if he has completed an assessment of the potential impact of the development of large fish farms off the west coast of the country on the stocks of wild atlantic salmon and on the stocks of salmon ...
Finfish farming has been a feature of aquaculture operations off the west coast for some time.
An application by Bord Iascaigh Mhara for an aquaculture licence for the cultivation of finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay has been received by my Department. The application and its accompany...
All matters associated with the application including the impact, if any, on wild salmon stocks, will be given very careful consideration by my Department.
Renewable Energy Generation Issues
Was asked: his position on biomass as a renewable energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Biomass sourced from forests and specially grown energy crops such as willow, coppice and miscanthus has an important role to play as a source of renewable energy. Over one third of the annual for...
The Deputy may be aware that the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, T.D., has announced his intention to publish a National Bioenergy Strategy shortly. This...
Single Payment Scheme Eligibility
Was asked: the number of farmers in County Kerry in receipt of the single farm payment scheme in 2012.
A total of 7,508 farmers in Kerry have to date received payment under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme, representing over 99% of all applicants who are eligible under the Scheme.
Single Payment Scheme Payments
Was asked: the number of persons in receipt of a single farm payment totalling €2,000 or less; €2,000-€5,000; €50,000-€70,000; €100,000 or more.
The details sought by the Deputy are set out in the following table.