Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 368: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has made any submissions to the drafting of the proposed new EU strategy for the protection and welfare of animals 2011 - 2015 with a specific reference to thoroughbred horses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19989/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I support the thrust of the EU policy on Animal Welfare (EUPAW) which is to define more clearly the direction of Community policies on animal welfare and the continued promotion of high welfare standards among all animal species including horses, in the EU and at international level. My Department has made a number of contributions to the strategy including supporting the concept of educational initiatives to raise awareness among farmers and others on the benefits accruing from increased animal welfare standards. My Department also supports the view that a core component of the strategy should be the protection of the competitiveness of farmers while guaranteeing that existing animal welfare legislation is correctly enforced across Europe.