“Kerrygold” brand needed for Irish suckler beef The current discussion, heated at times, about the proposed PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status for Irish beef is fundamental to the future viability of suckler farming in Ireland. Firstly, what we are talking about is having a premium brand for Irish Beef that is endosed by the EU, similar to the current Kerrygold brand …
Approval given to fast track reform of forestry appeals system – Naughten
Denis Naughten TD has confirmed that the Dáil Business Committee this morning approved the fast tracking of the Agriculture Appeals (Amendment) Bill 2020 to deal with the horrendous backlog in appeals of forestry applications. “On average 24 forestry appeal applications are submitted each month, with just seven being decided upon. This means it is taking over two years to decide on appeal applications, which is …
“Kerrygold” brand for Irish beef must support farmers not processors – Naughten
Addressing the new Minister for Agriculture in Dáil Éireann last night (Tuesday), Denis Naughten TD said the application for PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status for Irish beef will be the “final nail in the coffin of the Suckler industry” if it proceeds as currently drafted. PGI status is effectively a Kerrygold type branding for Irish Suckler beef which will be …
Meat plant problem was brought to the attention of authorities months ago
Just three months ago, I was criticised for highlighting Covid-19 problems within the meat industry. https://denisnaughten.ie/2020/05/13/fundamental-flaws-in-covid-protections-in-meat-industry-must-be-addressed-naughten/ Those in authority were more interested in tacking the man than addressing the fundamental problems that were occurring right across the meat processing sector. The risk posed within the sector arose due to the close quarters within which people work & live, the atmosphere for survival and transmission of the virus …
Meat plants given advance notice of Covid inspections say HSE
Denis Naughten TD has been informed by the HSE that the Health & Safety Authority gave meat plants 24 hours’ notice of planned inspections of the implementation of Covid-19 measures to curb infection. “What will really annoy many small businesses is the fact that in terms of Covid-19 inspections, the Health & Safety Authority just landed in on them unannounced, in some instances with …
Culling our cattle is good for climate maths but not our planet – Naughten
The current system of calculating climate emissions discriminates against a food exporter such as Ireland and is also harmful for our environment, Denis Naughten told Dáil Éireann last week. During a debate on climate change and agriculture Denis Naughten pointed out: “Even though 90% of our beef is exported, Ireland is penalised for being the most carbon efficient beef exporter …
Climate Action and Low Carbon Development in Agriculture
Speech by Denis Naughten TD, Dáil Éireann Wednesday, 10 June 2020 While agricultural production emits methane into the atmosphere, we also need to acknowledge that food production takes carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. The key issue, therefore, is not methane production but the increase in the overall volume of methane produced from agriculture. We must also note that throughout …
Health authorities now playing with words on meat plant tracing
Neither the HSE nor the Minister for Health are prepared to provide the actual numbers of people contact traced and tested as a result of being in proximity of meat plant employees who tested positive for Covid-19. Even in today’s reply from the Health Minister he has not been prepared to provide that simple answer, and we must ask why? …
Dáil takes historic move to directly question three Ministers on scale of Covid infection in meat industry – Naughten
Denis Naughten has confirmed the Dáil Business Committee has taken the unprecedented step of holding three Cabinet Ministers accountable in a single Dáil session on the scale of Covid-19 infection in the meat processing industry. Denis Naughten secured the support of the members of the Dáil Business Committee to hold a specific debate on how several meat processors across the country …
Dáil to question Agriculture Minister on scale of Covid infection in meat industry – Naughten
Denis Naughten TD has secured a Dáil debate next Thursday with the Minister for Agriculture on the scale of Covid-19 infection within the meat processing industry. Denis Naughten secured the support of the members of the Dáil Business Committee to bring in the Minister for Agriculture to explain how several meat processors across the country have seen a large proportion …