Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 19 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 1

Written Answers. - Legislative Programme.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

136 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the Acts and provisions of Acts not in force by reason of the fact that a commencement order has not been made; if such an order will be made; if so, when it will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13244/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

137 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the proposed statutory instruments being prepared in, or under the auspices of, his Department; the proposed effect of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13259/99]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together.

Details of the information sought by the Deputy are as follows:

The Plant Varieties (Proprietary Rights) Amendment Act, 1998, is not in force by reason that the commencement order has not been made. An order will be made when all the implementing regulations are in place. These are being prepared and are expected to be in place by the 31 August next.

The Bovine Tuberculosis (Attestation of the State and General Provisions) Order, 1999, will provide for revised arrangements for the identification of bovine animals.

The European Communities (Identification and Registration of Bovine Animals) Regulations 1999 will give effect to council regulation (EC) No 820/97 and related Commission regulations concerning the identification and registration of bovine animals. In particular, the regulations will make specific provisions relating to passport documents for bovine animals and in respect of on-farm bovine herd registers.

The European Communities (Designation of Milk and Milk Products and Standards for Spreadable Fats) Regulations provide for penalties for breaches of EU regulations in this area and for powers of inspection.

The following Council Regulations (EC) No 535/97 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and feedstuffs will give effect to new developments in the area of plant breeders rights are being prepared under the Plant Varieties (Proprietary Rights) (Amendment) of 1998:

The Plant Varieties (Proprietary Rights) (Amendment) Regulations.

The Plant Varieties (Farm Saved Seed) Regulations.

The Plant Varieties (Proprietary Rights) (Amendment) Act 1998 (Contracting Parties) Order.

The Plant Breeders Rights (Form of Certificate) (Amendment) Regulation.

The following regulations prohibit the putting into circulation of cereals, or any foodstuffs of animal or plant origin which contain levels of pesticides residue over specified levels and provide for new maximum residue levels:

The European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Cereals) Regulations.

The European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Foodstuffs of Animal Origin) Regulations.

The European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Products of Plant Origin, including Fruit and Vegetables) Regulations.