2008 - Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine

January

Title	Date
Minister Sargent Highlights The Benefits Of Locally Produced And In Season Foods	31 January 2008
Minister Coughlan Welcomes IFA Call For A Yes Vote	31 January 2008
Minister Coughlan meets with EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Fischer Boel to discuss key issues.	30 January 2008
Scientific Study on Teens' Diet Announced	24 January 2008
Minister Coughlan Announces Allocation of €6m to Sheep Farmers from the 2007 Single Payment Scheme National Reserve	22 January 2008
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Responds to Case of Avian 'Flu in Dorset	10 January 2008
Coughlan Accounces Second Stage of 2008/2009 Milk Quota Trading Scheme	09 January 2008
Coughlan Details Awards of €21 Million in R & D Grants	09 January 2008

February

Title	Date
Minister of State Wallace launches Irish Timber Growers Association Yearbook	01 February 2008
Coughlan Announces Membership Of Beef Forum	06 February 2008
Sargent Sets Up Artisan Industry Committee	06 February 2008
Coughlan To Meet French Counterpart As WTO Talks Gather Momentum	11 February 2008
Wallace Highlights National Tree Week 2nd - 8th March 2008	11 February 2008
Minister Of State Wallace Opens National Bioenergy Conference	12 February 2008
Minister Coughlan announces support to the 2008 Gene Ireland Progeny Testing Programme	12 February 2008
New FEPS a major boost for the Planting Programme, says Wallace	13 February 2008
Ministers Coughlan And Barnier Meet In Paris To Discuss WTO And Cap Health Check	13 February 2008
Minister Wallace visits Dunbia Meat Factory, Slane, Co. Meath	11 February 2008
Minister responds to confirmation of Bluetongue case in Northern Ireland	15 February 2008
Warning from Minister Wallace on the dangers of forest fires	15 February 2008
Lifestyle Choices Highlight Growth Potential For Irish Seafood Retailers	16 February 2008
Minister Coughlan and Commissioner Fischler Boel resolve difficulties over REPS 2 and REPS 3 payments	18 February 2008
Minister John Browne announces funding of over €23 million for Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development in 2008	18 February 2008
Minister Sargent announces grant aid of €9m for horticultural growers	20 February 2008
Minister launches new guidelines for best practice for the welfare of animals during transport	20 February 2008
Ministers Coughlan and Browne launch major scheme to restructure Irish fishing fleet	20 February 2008
Minister Coughlan announces the issue of Annual Payment Statements to farmers for 2007	21 February 2008
Minister Coughlan Introduces New Bluetongue Control Measures	22 February 2008
Minister Coughlan Announces Details of the 2008 Single Payment Scheme	25 February 2008
Minister Wallace announces appointment of new National Council for Forest Research and Development (COFORD)	25 February 2008
Minister Coughlan leads Enterprise Ireland Food Trade and Innovation visit to Japan	27 February 2008
Minister Sargent promotes savoy cabbage currently in season and all grown in Ireland	28 February 2008
Minister Coughlan repeats her call for caution on the importation of cattle and sheep in the context of Bluetongue disease	28 February 2008
Minister Browne Welcomes Campaign To Encourage Wexford Farmers To Go Online	25 February 2008

March

Title	Date
Wallace Launches National Tree Week 2008	02 March 2008
Minister Wallace Launches Spring Public Awareness Campaign For The Control Of Ragwort	04 March 2008
Minister Coughlan Launches €1.1 Million Initiative on Post Graduate Education in the Agri-Food Sector	04 March 2008
Minister Coughlan announces funding of €100,000 towards the cost of staging the 2008 World Holstein Friesian Federation Conference	05 March 2008
Minister of State Wallace launches "Project Forest"	05 March 2008
Coughlan: "Dairy Quota Expansion must be more ambitious"	05 March 2008
Coughlan addresses first meeting of Beef Forum	05 March 2008
Minister of State Mary Wallace receives report aimed at increasing Forestry Planting	06 March 2008
Minister Sargent welcomes outcome of prosecution for mislabelling of organic product	06 March 2008
Wallace officially opened a new Government office in Navan.	07 March 2008
Minister Wallace addresses ACA Conference in Athlone	07 March 2008
Minister Coughlan Announces Refund Of €23.5 Million Modulation Monies To Farmers	10 March 2008
Minister Of State Wallace Opens National Forestry Conference	10 March 2008
Coughlan announces enhanced Milk Testing Programme	12 March 2008
Coughlan Announces Results Of Fourth Milk Quota Trading Scheme - Fourth Exchange achieves strongest Quota Trade yet	12 March 2008
Coughlan Maintains Strong WTO Stance At Council Of Ministers	17 March 2008
Coughlan Announces 2% Increase In Ireland's Milk Quota From Next Month	19 March 2008
Minister Wallace Announces Opening Of Forestry Schemes	18 March 2008
Coughlan pushes for strong export refunds regime for pigmeat	20 March 2008
Forestry And Freshwater Pearl Mussel Requirements Site Assessment And Mitigation Measures	20 March 2008
Minister Coughlan Responds To New EU Proposals On Bluetongue	20 March 2008
Minister Sargent welcomes publication of Teagasc Organic Production Business Plan	20 March 2008
Minister Coughlan secures special transitional arrangements for REPS 4 in 2008; no change for REPS 2 and REPS 3	26 March 2008
Coughlan Announces Allocation Of 2% Quota Increase	27 March 2008
Minister Of State Wallace Addresses New Coford Council	27 March 2008
Minister Coughlan reminds farmers about the deadline of 15 May 2008 for applications to transfer payment entitlements for the 2008 Single Payment Scheme Year	28 March 2008
Sargent opens Sonairte Farmers' Market in Laytown	31 March 2008

April

Title	Date
Minister Sargent alerts farmers to 15 May Deadline for Applications for Organic Farming Scheme	01 April 2008
Minister Wallace announces Forestry Premium Payments of over €52 million for 2008	01 April 2008
Minister Coughlan announces €22m payments to farmers under Sugar Beet Diversification Fund	01 April 2008
Minister Wallace Launches Farm Energy - Farm Diversification Manual	07 April 2008
Minister Sargent Says "Parsnips Now In Season With Optimum Flavour Following Frost Which Makes Them Sweeter"	08 April 2008
Minister Coughlan launches major International Livestock Event Beef Expo, Ireland 2008	08 April 2008
Minister Coughlan responds to new EU measures on Bluetongue	08 April 2008
Minister Coughlan announces details of the 2008 Single Payment Scheme National Reserve	09 April 2008
Minister Browne pushes for strong measures against import of fish caught by illegal, unregulated, unreported fishing vessels	14 April 2008
Coughlan calls for realism in WTO negotiations	14 April 2008
Browne makes strong case in Brussels for retention of EU trade measures to safeguard the farmed salmon market	16 April 2008
Minister of State Wallace presents Augustine Henry Awards to Forestry Graduates	18 April 2008
Minister of State Wallace announces increased rates for Forestry 'Neighbourwood' and 'Native Woodland' Schemes	18 April 2008
Single Payment Scheme: Closing date for receipt of applications	22 April 2008
Coughlan travels to Berlin for Meeting on WTO with German Agriculture Minister	23 April 2008
Minister Coughlan increases the Single Payment threshold €6,000 to €10,000 for the Special Sheep category in the 2007 National Reserve	23 April 2008
Coughlan travelling to Brussels for meeting with Commissioner Mandelson	24 April 2008
Closure of 2007 Sow Housing (Animal Welfare) Scheme	25 April 2008
Minister Coughlan launches Marketing Strategy for Killybegs	28 April 2008
Minister Of State Wallace Launches National Dairy Council's Strategic Plan	30 April 2008
Coughlan Meets Mandelson On WTO	30 April 2008
Minister Sargent Launches Action Plan To Increase Organic Production In Ireland	30 April 2008
Announcement Of The Coastal Protection Programme 2008	30 April 2008
Ministers Coughlan And O'Cuiv Attend North/South Ministerial Council In Enniskillen	30 April 2008

May

Title	Date
Minister Smith visits Balmoral Show	15 May 2008
Minister Smith Outlines Firm Stance On WTO At Council Of Ministers Meeting	19 May 2008
Minister Smith Responds To Publication Of Cap Health Check	20 May 2008
Minister Smith Welcomes Events To Highlight Biodiversity Week 18-25 May 2008	21 May 2008
Minister Sargent Highlights Importance Of Labelling After Unlabelled Irish And Imported Non-EU Scallions Confuse Irish Shoppers	21 May 2008
Minister Killeen congratulates contribution of Centra Foodstores to high standards	22 May 2008
Minister Smith reminds farmers that the closing date for receipt of amendment forms under the 2008 Single Payment Scheme is 3rd June 2008	23 May 2008
Smith discusses WTO and CAP Health Check with EU colleagues	28 May 2008
Minister publishes consultation paper on draft Animal Health and Welfare Bill	28 May 2008
"Waste not want not" Sargent at the Fingal Composting Seminar	30 May 2008
Ministers Smith and Killeen meet Federation of Irish Fisherman	30 May 2008
Ministers launch All-Ireland Mussel Report	01 May 2008
Minister Coughlan urges farmers to lodge Single Farm Payment applications before 15 May 2008	02 May 2008
Minister Coughlan Announces Membership of Her Department's Consumer Liaison Panel	06 May 2008
Minister Bans Importation Of Certain Cattle And Sheep From Bluetongue Zones	06 May 2008
Minister Sargent Announces €10 Million To The World Food Programme	06 May 2008
Spring 2008 - Parasitic Disease Forecast	06 May 2008
Ministers Coughlan and Browne launch improved Sea Lice Control Strategy for Salmon Farms	06 May 2008
Minister Coughlan Announces Appointments To Bord Bia	07 May 2008
Minister Smith meets French Minister Barnier on Europe Day	09 May 2008
Smith Reminds Farmers of Closing Date for Single Payment Scheme - Penalties for not meeting 15th May Deadline	12 May 2008
Minister Smith welcomes the preliminary findings from a report on the net contribution of the Agri-Food Sector to the economy	15 May 2008

June

Title	Date
Minister Smith Welcomes IFA Support For Lisbon Referendum	03 June 2008
Minister of State Killeen opens Forestry Conference on Site Classification	04 June 2008
Minister Smith introduces precautionary measures following outbreak of avian 'flu in England	05 June 2008
Minister Smith calls for radical action on hunger	05 June 2008
Minister Smith meets Polish Minister on WTO	05 June 2008
Minister Smith presented with ISO Certification for input section and the Cash Office of the Accounts Division, Cavan	09 June 2008
Minister Smith welcomes Inquiry Report findings into outbreak of Equine Flu in Australia	13 June 2008
Ministers Smith and Killeen to press for fast and effective EU Commission response to the Impact of high oil prices on Ireland's Fishing Fleet	13 June 2008
Department welcomes further significant reduction in residue levels in food	18 June 2008
Ministers Smith and Killeen meet EU Fisheries Commissioner	18 June 2008
Killeen opens Bioenergy 08 event	20 June 2008
Minister Killeen announces approvals under the 2008 Whitefish Decommissioning Scheme	24 June 2008
Minister Smith says EU should not be afraid to reject a bad WTO deal	24 June 2008
Minister Killeen welcomes Council of Ministers response to challenges in the fishing industry	24 June 2008
Minister Killeen opens major conference on Innovation and Sustainability in Seafood Sector	26 June 2008
FAO 26th Regional Conference for Europe, Innsbruck, Austria 26-27 June 2008	26 June 2008
Minister Smith launches three major reports on the Agri-Food Sector	30 June 2008

July

Title	Date
Minister announces final €40 million tranche of payments to former sugar beet growers	01 July 2008
Minister Smith announces agreement on conditions for Irish Beef Exports to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia	02 July 2008
Smith says new Regulations match quota regime with modern farming realities	09 July 2008
Launch of RDS-Forest Service Irish Forestry Awards 2008	10 July 2008
Minister Sargent welcomes EU proposal for school fruit scheme	10 July 2008
Minister Smith confims Department savings of €9.1 million in 2008	10 July 2008
Minister Smith meets EU Health Commissioner in Dublin	11 July 2008
Minister Sargent launched the 'Odyssey of the Potato' Exhibition marking the International Year of the Potato	14 July 2008
Minister Smith rejects IFA claims	15 July 2008
Minister Sargent leads farmer fact finding visit to Organic Demonstration Farm	15 July 2008
Minister of State Killeen presents EU Commission with proposal for innovative new measures to address discarding of fish by Irish fishermen	15 July 2008
Minister Smith criticises WTO proposals	15 July 2008
Minister Killeen resists strong opposition to new EU funding for a package of measures to help Irish fishermen	15 July 2008
Minister Smith announces improved system for cattle movement at Marts	16 July 2008
Sargent urges public to eat more leafy vegetables which are now in season	23 July 2008
Minister says protection of Direct Payments to farmers is an 'Absolute Priority'	23 July 2008
Irish Ministers, led by Tánaiste, staunchly advocate Irish interests at difficult World Trade negotiations	24 July 2008
Minister Sargent Welcomes European Commission Promotional Campaign for Organic Food and Farming	29 July 2008
Irish Ministers respond to the collapse of WTO talks	30 July 2008
Results of the Monitoring of the Milk Testing Regime	30 July 2008
Minister Smith Presents Lakelands Milk Quality Awards 2007	30 July 2008
Killeen Comments on Funding of Forestry Schemes	31 July 2008

August

Title	Date
Minister Killeen designates additional ports for Hake and Monkfish	01 August 2008
Minister Killeen Condemns Dunmore East Attack	01 August 2008
Smith Welcomes the Reopening of the Philippines Market for Irish Beef	05 August 2008
Minister Sargent Launches New Scheme for the Allocation of Additional Milk Quota to Organic Milk Producers	12 August 2008
Minister Smith Reminds Farmers of their Weaning Obligations Under Suckler Welfare Scheme	13 August 2008
Smith Advocates Greater Participation in Milk Production Participation	15 August 2008
Smith Announces Fifth Milk Quota Trading Scheme	20 August 2008
Smith Extends Reps Slurry Spreading Period	21 August 2008

September

Title	Date
Minister Smith confirms publication of certain details of EU payments	02 September 2008
Minister Smith Comments on Cappoquin Chickens	03 September 2008
Smith calls for EU initiatives to stimulate the EU sheep sector	05 September 2008
Minister Sargent welcomes marked increase in interest in organic farming option	05 September 2008
Minister Smith delivers positive message for Agri-Food Sector and says "we must play to our strengths"	12 September 2008
Minister Smith confident about prospects for Irish Agricultural Exports	12 September 2008
Killeen Addresses Drafting Meeting of the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe	17 September 2008
Minister Smith appoints new chairman of Teagasc	17 September 2008
Minister Smith welcomes EU Commissioner's agreement to significant increase in age limit for BSE testing	17 September 2008
Minister Smith launches Code of Practice for the Welfare of Broiler Chickens	17 September 2008
Minister Smith Highlights National Organic Week at Organic Seminar in Cavan	17 September 2008
Ministers Smith & Ó Cuív meet Northern Ireland Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle Gildernew in Ballyconnell	19 September 2008
Minister Smith presses for advance payment of Single Payment	23 September 2008
Minister Smith Announces Payments Under The €250 Million 2008 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme	24 September 2008
Minister Smith Welcomes Approval For Advance Payment Of 2008 Single Payment	24 September 2008
Debate Opened On New Agricultural Policy For Eu - Minister Smith	24 September 2008
Minister Smith Seeks Additional Funding for Farm Waste Management Scheme	29 September 2008
Need for Coherence Between Climate Change and Food Security Agendas	29 September 2008
Killeen Takes Strong Stand at Today's Fisheries Council	30 September 2008
Killeen Launches Forestry Online Service	30 September 2008

October

Title	Date
Joint Launch of Enterprise Ireland Strategy for Prepared Consumer Foods Sector	06 October 2008
Minister Sargent Launches Organic Feasibility Study for Kerry	06 October 2007
Minister Smith opens 2008 World Holstein Friesian Conference	09 October 2007
Extension to the Period for Spreading of Slurry	10 October 2008
Minister Smith to Seek Officially Brucellosis-Free Status for Ireland	12 October 2008
Minister Focuses 2009 Spending on Productive Capacity of Agri-Food Sector	14 October 2008
Minister Sargent Welcomes Continued Support for the Organic Sector in Budget	14 October 2008
Minister Killeen Comments on Budgetary Situation for Fishing and Forestry	15 October 2008
15 October 2008: Minister Smith Announces Advance Payments of €530 Million under the 2008 Single Payment Scheme	15 October 2008
Minister Emphasises The Government's Commitment To The Development Of The Food Industry	17 October 2008
Minister of State Killeen Welcomes "European Forest Week"	20 October 2008
22 October 2008: Minister Smith Comments on 2009 Spending to Support the Agri-Food Sector	22 October 2008
Department Issues Advice on Liver Fluke	22 October 2008
Detection of Brown Rot in water samples taken at Merchant's premises	24 October 2008
Minister Smith in Crucial EU Negotiations on the Review of the Common Agricultural Policy	28 October 2008
Minister Smith Meets the Commission and Presidency on Ongoing Negotiations in the CAP Health Check	28 October 2008
Minister Smith Pledges Support for EU Scheme for Distribution of Fruit in Schools	28 October 2008
Minister Smith advises against livestock imports following an outbreak of Bluetongue Serotype 6 in The Netherlands	29 October 2008
Minister Smith Confirms Extension of Slurry Spreading Period to 30th November	31 October 2008

November

Title	Date
Minister Smith Reiterates Call for Country of Origin Labelling for Poultry	04 November 2008
Minister Sargent Welcomes Progress Towards School Fruit Scheme	04 November 2008
Minister Killeen Welcomes the Agreement on a 33% Increase in Mackerel Catch for 2009	04 November 2008
Minister Smith says Climate Change Targets must not damage Irish Agriculture and Rural Economy	06 November 2007
Minister Smith Visits United States to Promote Development of Irish Food Sector	08 October 2007
Minister Smith Calls for Introduction of Dairy Market Supports	10 November 2007
Minister Smith Welcomes European Veterinary Week 2008	11 November 2007
Minister Smith Announces Payments Under the 2008 Suckler Welfare Scheme	12 November 2007
Ireland's Disadvantaged Area Scheme One of the Best-Funded in Europe	13 November 2007
Smith Welcomes The Introduction Of Private Storage Aid For Butter	13 November 2007
Minister Smith Opens New Bord Bia Office In New York	14 November 2007
Minister Smith defends CAP and expects tough Health Check negotiations	17 November 2007
Smith Highlights Continuing Strong Demand for Milk Quota	19 November 2007
Killeen Delivers Positive Outcome for Celtic Sea Fishery	19 November 2007
Sargent to Visit Ethiopia	19 November 2008
Minister Smith Delivers €170 Million to Irish Farmers in CAP Negotiations	20 November 2007
Minister Sargent Calls for Immediate Reform of UN Body	20 November 2008
Creed "Fails to Understand!" - Minister Smith	20 November 2008
Minister Smith Rejects Misleading Claims on CAP Health Check	21 November 2008
Smith: Extra Milk Quota Good for Farmers, Good for Processors and Good for the Economy	24 November 2008
Minister Killeen Announces Third Phase of Bioenergy Scheme (2009)	25 November 2008
Balancing Payments of €609 Million Under Single Payment Scheme to Commence	26 November 2008
Minister Smith Nominates Mike Magan as Interim Chairman of Animal Health Ireland	26 November 2008
Minister Smith Repeats Advice Against Livestock Imports Following Cases of Bluetounge Serotype 1 in England	26 November 2008
Smith Advocates the Need for a Strong and Adequately Funded CAP Post 2013	28 November 2008

December

Title	Date
Minister Sargent Comments on his Visit to Ethiopia	01 December 2008
Ministers Smith and Killeen Announce Appointment of New Chairperson for Marine Institute	04 December 2008
Ministers Smith and Killeen Announce Appointment of New Chairperson for Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB)	04 December 2008
Statement by Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	04 December 2008
Minister Smith's Meeting With EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg	05 December 2008
Minister Sargent Announces Grant Aid Scheme For Horticulture Growers 2009	05 December 2008
Minister Sargent Announces Grant Aid Scheme For Horticulture Growers 2009	05 December 2008
Chief Vet to confirm status of Irish beef at EU meeting	09 December 2008
Minister Smith confirms conditions to allow sale of Irish pork and bacon	10 December 2008
Minister Sargent announces conditions for sale of Certified Organic pigmeat products to commence	10 December 2008
Statement by Brendan Smith TD, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Following Agreement Between the Government and the Irish Pig Processing Sector	11 December 2008
Minister Smith Welcomes EU Support For Irish Pig Industry	11 December 2008
Ministers Smith And Gildernew Discuss Irish Pigmeat Situation	12 December 2008
Minister Killeen Publishes Indicative Forestry Statement for Ireland	15 December 2008
Minister Smith Welcomes Dáil Approval for €50 Million Supplementary Estimate to Secure the Future of the Irish Pig Production and Processing Industry	17 December 2008
Smith welcomes further EU support of €20.7 Million	18 December 2008
€202 Million of Fishing Quotas Delivered for Ireland for the Coming Year	19 December 2008
Minister Sargent Pleased With Progress on Developments in the Organic Sector	19 December 2008
Minister Sargent Reminds Public That Irish Farmers Depend On Customers To Buy Irish	19 December 2008
Ministers Smith and Sargent Announce €16.7 Million Grant-Aid for the Horticulture, Livestock Marts and Small Meat Sectors	22 December 2008
Minister Tony Killeen announces grants of €23,000 for Clare Animal Welfare Bodies	22 December 2008
Minister Sargent announces grants to Animal Welfare Organisations	22 December 2008
Smith announces grants of €20,000 for Cavan Animal Welfare Bodies	22 December 2008
Minister Smith Awards €1.25 Million in Funding to 110 Animal Welfare Organisations	22 December 2008
Department confirms arrangements for lodgement of claims under Farm Waste Management Scheme	24 December 2008
Minister Smith publishes scheme document for pigmeat recall compensation	24 December 2008
30 December 2008: Sargent announces €2 million Christmas donation to provide food aid for Ethiopia	30 December 2008