Vol. 564 No. 5
121 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the task forces, consultant reviews, review groups, tribunals, inquiries and similar bodies set up by his Department since July 1997; when interim or final reports were published or when publication may be expected in each case where applicable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9891/03]
The details requested by the Deputy are outlined in the following schedule:
|
Title and Year Established |
Purpose |
Reporting Arrangements |
|
The Food Quality Assurance Schemes Review Group was established in February 2000. |
To review quality assurance schemes currently in operation, examine accreditation procedures and make appropriate recommendations to bring greater coherence and clarity to the whole area of quality assurance. |
Report was published in May 2001 |
|
Food Industry Development Group was established in April 1998. |
To identify priorities, defining support requirements and formulating an action plan for the food industry. |
Report was published in December 1998. |
|
Food Agency Co-operation Council was established in March 2000. |
To promote the fullest possible practical co-operation between State Agencies involved in the food industry in the context of the NDP. |
The Council meets on a regular basis to promote co-operation. |
|
Food Institutional Research Committee was established in Sept. 2000. |
To evaluate the selection of applicants for funding under the NDP. |
The Committee continues to meet on a regular basis. |
|
Food Industry NDP/CSF Sub-Committee was established in May 2001 |
To monitor progress in the implementation of the food-related measures of the NDP/CSF |
The Sub-Committee meets twice yearly to monitor progress. |
|
Food Labelling Group was set up in July 2002. |
It was established to:1. Examine the existing legislative framework on food labelling at National and EU level in the context of consumer expectations2. Evaluate general compliance with current legislative provisions.3. Identify any possible gaps in legislation.4. In light of 1, 2, & 3 make appropriate recommendations |
The Group reported to the Minister on 10 December 2002 |
|
Title and Year Established |
Purpose |
Reporting Arrangements |
|
National Rural Development Forum was established in 2000 |
To debate issues and identify policy responses to rural problems. |
The Forum continues to meet at least once a year |
|
Organic Development Committee was established in November 2000. |
To develop the organic sector of Irish agriculture on foot of a recommendation by the Agri Food 2010 Committee. |
Report was published in April 2002. |
|
The Expert Group on Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) was established in March 2001. |
To review on an ongoing basis, the controls and advice appropriate for dealing with the FMD problem. |
Ongoing reports were published on the Department's website during 2001. |
|
Monitoring Committee on Protocol for Direct Payments to Farmers was established in December 2000. |
To monitor standards relating to direct payments to farmers. |
Ongoing monitoring. No report published. |
|
Advisory Committee on the Role of Women in Farming was established in November 1999. |
To examine the situation of women in agriculture under various social and economic headings. |
The Report was published in September 2000 |
|
Inter-Departmental Working Group on PRSI for farm spouses was established in April 2001. |
To examine the possibility of extending PRSI to farm spouses |
Reported in February 2002 |
|
Task Force on Agriculture & Training was established in Nov. 2001. |
To review the training needs of agriculture in a changing social and economic environment. |
Reported in July 2000. |
|
Research Stimulus Fund Committee was established in 2001. |
To select projects for funding. |
Committee met periodically to assess projects and has completed its task. |
|
National Anti-Poverty Strategy (NAPS) – Working Group on Rural Poverty was established in April 2001. |
To examine the issue of rural poverty in the context of the NAPS |
The working group reported in July 2001. |
|
Interdepartmental Committee on the White Paper on Rural Development – established in February 1998. |
To advise the Minister in preparation of the White paper on Rural Development. |
The views of the Committee were contained in the White Paper which was published in August 1999. |
|
Beef Task Force was established in Nov. 1998 |
To devise an action plan for the development of the beef industry. |
The Task Force reported in June 1999. |
|
Agenda 2000 Consultative Committee(a) Beef(b) Dairying(c) Cereals(d) Rural Development and Structural Funds |
To examine the broad policy for each sector in the light of the proposals of Agenda 2000. |
Advice provided during negotiations |
|
Monitoring Committee on Implementation of the Beef Task Force Report was established August 1999. |
To monitor the implementation of the Report of the Task Force |
Ongoing Monitoring |
|
The Sheep Forum was established in February 1998 |
To evaluate the future direction of the sheep meat sector. |
Report and recommendations submitted in July 2001 |
|
Monitoring Committee of the Sheep Forum was established in December 1999. |
To progress and monitor implementation of its recommendations. |
The Committee reported in July 2001 |
|
Technical Committee on Meat Inspection Fees was established in January 2000 |
To examine the implementation of the full recovery of the cost of the meat inspection fees. |
The Committee reported in June 2000 |
|
WTO Consultancy Group was established in 2002 |
To provide a forum for an exchange of views and information on WTO negotiations |
Ongoing advice |
|
Beef Consultative Group on EU Policy was established in 2000. |
To examine the options in relation to the Mid-Term Review of Agenda 2000 and to advise the Dept. of emerging policies at EU and Member State level. |
Ongoing advice. |
|
Mid-term Review of Agenda 2000 – Consultative Group for the Cereals Sector was established in 2002 |
To examine the broad policy options for the cereals sector in the context of the Mid-Term review. |
Ongoing advice. |
|
Mid – Term Review of Agenda 2000 Dairy Consultative Group (2002) |
To examine the broad policy options for the dairy sector and to advise on the most appropriate responses to the EU Commission's Mid-Term review proposals |
Ongoing advice during negotiations |
|
Monitoring Committee for the CAP Rural Development Plan 2000-2006 was established in 2001. |
To oversee implementation of the Plan. |
On-going monitoring. |
|
Mid-term Review of the CAP Rural Development Plan and related agriculture and rural development measures was established in 2001 |
To evaluate situation at the mid term stage of the Plan |
Report due in 2003 |
|
Title and Year Established |
Purpose |
Reporting Arrangements |
|
Agri-Food 2010 (AF2010) Committee was established in 1999 |
To propose a strategy for the development of Irish agriculture and food for the next decade. |
AF2010 Main Report, March 2000AF 2010 Plan of Action August 2000AF2010 Implementation Report, December 2001 |
|
Steering Group on Farm Household Incomes was established in 2002 |
To assess up to date and comprehensive data and sources in relation to farm household income. |
Report due in 2003. |
|
Prospectus study of the all-island pig industry (1999) (Consultancy study commissioned jointly by Minister for Agriculture with Enterprise Ireland and their Northern Ireland counterparts) was established in 1999. |
To examine the strategic issues facing the pig industry on the island of Ireland and to make recommendations to ensure its future viability |
Report received in January 2001 |
|
Strategy Group for the Pig Industry was established in 1998. |
To examine all aspects of the Irish pig industry in the context of domestic, EU and international developments |
Group completed its work in 1999 |
|
Inter-Department/Agency Committee to examine meat and bone meal disposal in non-agriculture or energy sectors. |
To consider the options for disposing of meat and bone meal in the non-agriculture or energy sectors |
The report is expected to be submitted to Government shortly |
|
A report was commissioned from Arthur Andersen c.1998. on Beef Export Refunds Division |
On the business re-engineering of Beef Export Refunds Division of my Department |
Report was delivered in May 1999 |
|
Strategic review of the Dairy Processing sector (2002) |
To contribute to a coherent strategic development plan for the sector, making recommendations on actions to improve efficiency and long-term competitiveness |
Report presented on 19 March 2003 |
|
Inter-Agency Group on the presence and influence of Lead in the Silvermines area of Co. Tipperary. Established in 1999 |
To examine and report on the presence and influence of Lead in the Silvermines area. |
Report published in May, 2001. |
|
Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council, established 2002 |
To consult and advise on issues effecting the welfare of farm animals. |
Ongoing advice |
|
Scientific Advisory Committee on Animal Health and Welfare, established 2002 |
To consider and provide expert specialised advice on issues of animal health and welfare |
Ongoing advice |
