Parliamentary questions

Dairy Sector

Bernard Durkan

259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects the dairy sector to expand and develop in the future post quota; the efforts made to secure new overseas markets for produce and-or product diversification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35770/14]

Fishing Industry Development

Bernard Durkan

260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the total number of persons directly involved in the fishing industry including catching, processing and transport; the extent to which opportunities continue to be examined for expansion in the area resulting in increased production and employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35771/14]

Fishing Industry Development

Bernard Durkan

261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which families dependent on the fishing industry may rely on a sustainable income in the future notwithstanding any restrictions arising from EU or national conservation measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35772/14]

Fishing Industry Development

Bernard Durkan

262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the extent to which employment at all levels in the fishing industry has fluctuated in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35773/14]

Fishing Industry Development

Bernard Durkan

263. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects the fishing industry to expand in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35774/14]

Common Agricultural Policy Review

Bernard Durkan

264. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the Common Agricultural Policy review has been of benefit to the agri-sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35775/14]

Common Fisheries Policy Review

Bernard Durkan

265. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which the Common Fisheries Policy review has positively affected the fishing industry here and throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35776/14]

Food Harvest 2020 Strategy

Bernard Durkan

266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which indicators in respect of the Food Harvest 2020 remain in line with expectations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35777/14]

Food Labelling

Bernard Durkan

267. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the extent to which traceability and labelling continues to be effective in respect of all food imports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35778/14]

Beef Quality Assurance Scheme

Bernard Durkan

171. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he is satisfied that all aspects of quality assurance in the beef sector are observed throughout the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27748/14]

Beef Industry Irregularities

Bernard Durkan

172. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if evidence of price fixing exists throughout the beef sector in view of the lower prices now being received by producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27749/14]

Beef Industry

Bernard Durkan

173. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of beef processors currently slaughtering animals throughout the country, where one or more such processors have an interest, controlling or otherwise, in more than one slaughtering or processing operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27750/14]

Beef Industry Irregularities

Bernard Durkan

174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has received suggestions of price fixing in the beef industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27751/14]

Trade Agreements

Bernard Durkan

36. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he is satisfied that the benefit achieved in the context of Common Agricultural Policy reform for European agriculture will not be eroded in any future international trade discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26137/14]

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Bernard Durkan

37. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he is confident of achieving the best possible result for the agricultural community in the context of redistribution of direct payments under the various headings in the aftermath of common agricultural reform with particular reference to the need to ensure that regard is had for the size and importance of the various farm enterprises and the need to ensure the ongoing viability of such enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26138/14]

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Bernard Durkan

132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has continued to have discussions with the farming organisations and others regarding the redistribution of benefits accruing from the Common Agricultural Policy reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26523/14]

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Bernard Durkan

133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline any particularly sensitive issue arising in relation to revised farm support payments emanating from the Common Agricultural Policy reform; the extent to which he expects to reach agreement in regard to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26524/14]

Common Fisheries Policy Reform

Bernard Durkan

134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent of the benefits accruing to the fishing industry with particular reference to those families depending on the sector arising from EU fisheries policy reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26525/14]

Agrifood Sector

Bernard Durkan

135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects the agrifood industry to benefit from EU reforms such as Common Agricultural Policy and the abolition of milk quotas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26526/14]

Trade Agreements

Bernard Durkan

136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied that trade deals negotiable by the EU, in the aftermath of Common Agricultural Policy reform, do not undermine the Irish or European food industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26527/14]

Laboratory Facilities

Bernard Durkan

137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the various veterinary laboratory facilities in respect of the bovine, pig, poultry, lamb and equine sectors here are adequate to meet all laboratory testing requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26528/14]

Beef Industry

Bernard Durkan

138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his expectations for further development of the beef industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26529/14]

Food Harvest 2020 Strategy

Bernard Durkan

139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which targets set in Food Harvest 2020 remain on course; if any particular sector is performing better than others; the immediate action required if any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26530/14]

Fishing Industry Development

Bernard Durkan

140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which fishing conservation policies adopted by the EU continue to benefit the fishing industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26531/14]

Fish Discards

Bernard Durkan

141. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the cessation of the dumping of surplus catch continues to benefit fish conservation measures in this country and throughout the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26532/14]

Grassland Sheep Scheme Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

624. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the extent to which various categories of sheep farmers have lost or gained from the CAP review, with particular reference to the extent to which such payments have fluctuated annually in the course of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23028/14]

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Bernard Durkan

26. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the benefits accruing from the Common Agricultural Policy reform agreement are evenly distributed throughout the agricultural sector with particular reference to ensuring that any increases or reductions do not impact on productivity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20334/14]

Animal Welfare

Bernard Durkan

179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which all non-sporting horses have been registered electronically or otherwise; the extent to which the welfare of such animals continues to be monitored by his Department; the number of instances of mistreatment identified since the passage of animal welfare legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20594/14]

Animal Identification Schemes

Bernard Durkan

180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of non-sporting horses registered at present; the extent to which such numbers have fluctuated; the estimated number of any such animals not registered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20595/14]

Fish Discards

Bernard Durkan

181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which, in line with EU fisheries agreements, the dumping of surplus catch has been curtailed in this country and throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20596/14]

Agrifood Sector

Bernard Durkan

182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of persons currently employed in the food producing sector [20597/14]

Food Labelling

Bernard Durkan

183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which legislation and regulations in respect of labelling of food and food products is observed fully in all European countries without exception; the extent to which such regulations have applied to imports from third countries with particular reference to meat, meat products and other non-animal generated food; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20598/14]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Bernard Durkan

184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which direct payments to the agricultural sector continue to focus on production with particular reference to those with a high dependency on the farm enterprise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20599/14]

Agrifood Sector

Bernard Durkan

185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which new markets continue to be identified for beef, lamb, pig meat, poultry, venison or dairy products; the extent to which further expansion of such markets is likely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20600/14]

Beef Industry

Bernard Durkan

186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the prices paid to farmers for beef with particular reference to the need to ensure stability in the market and return for investment in line with that in other European countries; if efforts continue to be made to ascertain the reason producers in other jurisdictions continue to be paid more for their product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20601/14]

Beef Industry

Bernard Durkan

187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the prices paid to beef producers in this country remain below those prevailing in adjoining jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20602/14]

Food Harvest 2020 Strategy

Bernard Durkan

188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the targets set in Food Harvest 2020 continue to be met throughout each sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20605/14]

Food Safety Standards Regulation

Bernard Durkan

189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which all food production throughout Europe complies with the relevant regulations in respect of health, hygiene, husbandry and storage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20603/14]

Common Fisheries Policy Reform

Bernard Durkan

190. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which Common Fisheries Policy conservation measures continue to achieve their targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20604/14]

Dairy Sector

Bernard Durkan

191. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the various markets for Irish dairy products have expanded in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20606/14]

Cereal Sector

Bernard Durkan

192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he is satisfied in respect of the future prospects for the cereal growing sector over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20607/14]

Beef Industry

Bernard Durkan

22. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he is aware of the disparity between beef prices to the producer and those charged to the consumer by the multiples with particular reference to the fact that Irish beef exports to the UK appear to not be treated in accordance with EU rules; if any action is likely to be taken at national or EU level to address the issues raised by producers in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13211/14]

Animal Welfare

Bernard Durkan

166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which it is expected the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 is likely to ensure that all animals are subject to the provisions of the legislation without exception, that the welfare of all horses is observed in the spirit and the letter, that management, husbandry and health requirements are met in full and without exception, that traceability and accountability in accordance with the legislation prevails throughout the country, the extent to which inspections in respect of non-thoroughbred horses will be provided for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14396/14]

Beef Industry

Bernard Durkan

170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he can expect to be in a position to monitor activities in the beef sector with a view to ensuring that bull beef production is in some way aligned to market opportunities and requirements, with particular reference to the elimination of an oversupply in a particular sector leading to losses for producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14430/14]

Beef Industry

Bernard Durkan

171. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department has examined the circumstances which resulted in an oversupply of bull beef resulting in serious loss to the producer; if any steps are likely to be taken to address a repetition of any such situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14431/14]

Animal Welfare

Bernard Durkan

172. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which animal welfare legislation adequately addresses issues arising in respect of production, husbandry, treatment and general welfare of the non-thoroughbred horse sector; the extent to which violations in this area have been brought to the attention of the relevant sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14432/14]

Beef Exports

Bernard Durkan

173. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that Irish beef producers have ready, unimpeded and equal access to all EU member state markets without restriction or price variation; if the Single Market concept is being observed in all such situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14433/14]

Beef Exports

Bernard Durkan

174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he has been made aware of the extent to which Irish beef producers can expect a lower price for their product on some European markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14434/14]

Trade Agreements

Bernard Durkan

175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that Irish and European food producers are not likely to suffer any disadvantage in the context of WTO negotiations or EU-US trade discussions in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14435/14]

Food Labelling

Bernard Durkan

176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he continues to be satisfied that labelling and traceability regulations applicable throughout the European Union in respect of product originating within the Union or outside continue to be observed in the spirit and the letter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14436/14]