Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We had a good discussion on this on Committee Stage and while I am trying to accommodate people's concerns, there are some things we cannot do. Deputy O'Sullivan wants fur farming banned, but what I propose to do is to introduce a new code of conduct and a new inspection and licensing regime in order to reassure people that within the boundaries of farming, the welfare of the animals is protected. This goes for matters such as the density of animal numbers in cages and the way in which they are killed. I will bring that code before a committee and we will be able to discuss it. However, I cannot agree with the Deputy that we should simply ban fur farming. We will introduce a tight code of conduct and a new licensing regime and if it is necessary to introduce regulations, we will do that. However, let us wait and see how the code works.

This is a practice that is relatively small in Ireland and there are only four or five fur farms here. I want to ensure that the fur farming that takes place here is of the highest standard. If at some point in the future, we need to review that because of welfare standards or concerns, we can do that. However, we have taken a policy decision not to do that at this stage, but to focus on ensuring that welfare concerns are properly attended to.

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