Mr. Michael Curran:

I thank the Senator for his questions. On the culling or euthanasia of the mink, we are going by the regulation of the Department. The regulation is we use carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is used to a slow rate of 2 litres per minute to a percentage of 4% in the euthanasia box. They enter one by one until the stunning takes place and the stunning takes 15 to 18 seconds. As the last animal goes in, it is five minutes before the box is opened and a check for death is done. There is a three-point check done for death. This is the method that is used. We are complying with the rules from the Department that we have to use this. This is the only method it will allow us use in Ireland.