Written Answers. - Departmental Bodies.
Michael Joe Cosgrave
Ceist:
114
Mr. Cosgrave
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
the number of task forces or special committees set up in his Department since 1997; the date they were established; the terms of reference of each; if they have reported; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24487/01]
The details requested by the Deputy are outlined in the following Schedule:
SCHEDULE
1. Food Industry Development Group
This was established in April 1998 for the purposes of identifying priorities, defining support requirements and formulating an action plan for the food industry in the context of a strategic approach to the future use of national and structural funds. The group published its report in December 1998.
2. Food Quality Assurance Schemes Review Group
This group was established in February 2000 to review schemes currently in operation in the light of future requirements of consumers and the food industry, examine the accreditation procedures applying to each scheme and make appropriate recommendations as to how greater coherence and clarity might be brought to the whole area of quality assurance. The group furnished its report in December 2000.
3. Food Agency Co-operation Council
This was established in March 2000 for the purposes of promoting the fullest possible practical co-operation between the State agencies involved in the food industry in the interests of the optimum development of the industry and of ensuring that the support measures provided for food under the national development plan are utilised for the optimum benefit of the industry. The council continues to meet on a regular basis.
4. Food Institutional Research Committee
This was set up in September 2000 for the purposes of evaluating and selecting applications for funding under the Food Institutional Research Measure of the Productive Sector Operational Programme of the NDP. The committee continues to meet on a regular basis.
5. Food Industry NDP/CSF Sub-Committee
This was set up in May 2001 for the purposes of monitoring progress in the implementation of the food related measures of the NDP/CSF on the basis of the overall objectives of the measures and the agreed indicators set for them, where necessary to make recommendations for improvements, and to examine and comment on evaluations of the measures. The sub-committee meets twice yearly.
6. National Rural Development Forum
The forum has a wide range of membership and was established to debate issues and identify policy responses to rural problems.
7. Veterinary Facilities Relocation Co-ordination Committee
Following a Government decision – S130/08/05/0001K – on 8 February 2000 a co-ordination committee was set up to include the relevant Government Departments and to plan the relocation and replacement of the veterinary laboratories and facilities at Abbotstown.
8. Organic Development Committee
In September 2000 an organic development committee was established, on foot of a recommendation by the Agri Food 2010 committee. The aim of this committee is outlined in its terms of reference, which are as follows:
. . . to recommend a coherent development strategy to achieve expansion in production, processing and marketing of Irish organic produce and to secure an increased share of the growing national and export markets; and to consider the broad actions necessary for the most advantageous long-term future development of the Irish organic sector while protecting its integrity.
9. FMD Expert Group
The expert group on foot and mouth disease, FMD, controls, was established in early March 2001 to review on an ongoing basis the controls and advice appropriate to dealing with the current FMD situation.
10. Strategy Group for the Pig Industry
This was established in April 1998 and is a working group with aim of developing a strategy for the Irish pig industry, and includes representatives from the Department, producers, processors, feed compounders and the IFA.
11. Equine Liaison Committee
The membership of this committee includes the Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Irish Farmers Association, Veterinary Practitioners and Shipping Agents and its purpose is to liaise in connection with health matters which relate to horses.
12. Monitoring Committee on Protocol for Direct Payments to Farmers
This committee was established in December 2000 and monitors standards in relation to direct payments to farmers.
13. Advisory Committee on the Role of Women in Agriculture
This committee was established in November 1999 to examine the situation of women in agriculture regarding education and training; social inclusion; under representation at political and organisational levels and other economic and legal issues. The committee's report was published in September 2000.
14. Inter-Departmental Working Group on PRSI for farm spouses
Arising from the recommendations of the report of the advisory committee on the role of women in agriculture, an interdepartmental working group on PRSI for farm spouses was set up in April 2001 to examine possible approaches to extending PRSI to farm spouses. The groups are expected to report during November 2001.
15. Task Force on Agricultural Education and Training
This committee was established in November 1999 to review the training needs of agriculture in the context of a changing economic and social environment and to make recommendations, where appropriate, to address those needs. The report of the task force was published in July 2000.
16. The Research Stimulus Fund Committee
This committee was established in 2001 to select projects for funding under the 2001 call for proposals, to propose priority areas for funding under future calls and to advise the Department generally on the operation of the fund. The first meeting of the committee took place on 11 September 2001. The next meeting will be in 2002. It is not envisaged that the committee will issue a report.
17. Monitoring Committee for the CAP Rural Development Programme 2000-2006
This committee was established in April 2001. It will oversee progress under the programme. The committee will hold its first meeting in November 2001.
18. Agri Food 2010 Committee
The Agri Food 2010 committee was an independent committee of experts appointed in June 1999. Their terms of reference were:
To propose a strategy for the development of Irish agriculture and food over the next decade, following the agreement on Agenda 2000, and in the light of the changes and challenges which are likely to evolve nationally and internationally over that period.
The Agri Food 2010 committee's report was published in March 2000.
19. National Anti-Poverty Strategy (NAPS) – Working Group on Rural Poverty
This was established in April 2001. The terms of reference are to review the rural poverty theme in the NAPS and includes the analysis of the current situation regarding poverty in rural areas, distinguishing between farm and non-farm dwellers; identification of data gaps; identification of the key issues contributing to rural poverty, particularly cross-cutting issues involving other Departments and State agencies; options for new targets in alleviating rural poverty; development of strategies to achieve these targets; identification of performance indicators in relation to such targets; estimation of the value added by the adoption of such targets – that is, over and above the PPF commitments – and the expected outcomes from the adoption of such targets. The working group reported in July 2001.
20. Interdepartmental Committee on the White Paper on Rural Development
This was established in February 1998. The terms of reference were to advise the Minister in preparation of White Paper on Rural Development; engage in a consultation process with the public and interested parties and carry out a review and analysis of the current policies impacting on rural areas. The views of the committee contributed to the White Paper on Rural Development which was published in August 1999.
21. Beef Task Force
The beef task force was established in November 1998 in order to devise an action plan for the development of the beef industry covering the whole sector from primary production through to processing and marketing with a view to enabling the sector to overcome the obstacles impeding its development and to generate better returns from the markets. The task force issued its report and recommendations in June 1999.
22. Monitoring Committee on Implementation of the Beef Task Force Report
This was set up on the recommendation of the beef task force committee in August 1999. It involves producer, processor, and state agency representatives. Its role is to monitor the implementation of the major recommendations of the report of the task force.
23. The Sheep Forum
The sheepmeat forum was established in February 1998. Its terms of reference were to evaluate the future direction of the sheepmeat sector and to assess how the industry can address existing constraints and future challenges. The forum issued its report and recommendations in October 1999.
24. Monitoring Committee of the Sheep Forum
The monitoring committee of the sheepmeat forum was established in December 1999. Its terms of reference were to progress and monitor implementation of the recommendations contained in the sheepmeat forum report. The committee reported in July 2001.
25. Technical Committee on Meat Inspection Fees
This committee, which included representatives of the beef processing industry and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, was set up in January 2000 to examine practical issues relating to the implementation of the full recovery of the cost of the meat inspection service. The committee concluded its work and the chairman reported in June 2000.
