Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 8: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when she expects to provide this Deputy with a report on the on-farm slaughter at fur farms; and if she will make a statement on the question of banning fur farming here. [9103/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I assume the report referred to by the Deputy is that which my Department undertook to provide in response to issues raised at the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council, FAWAC. FAWAC includes representatives from farm organisations, animal welfare groups, the veterinary profession, animal transporters and others with an interest in animal welfare. The council provides a forum in which interests with diverse views have the opportunity to meet, discuss each other's positions and reach consensus on animal welfare issues which can inform public policy.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that veterinary officials from my Department assessed the on-farm slaughter of mink during the recent slaughter season. The resultant report is not yet complete. It is my expectation that this report will be made available to FAWAC by the end of April and I will make it available to the Deputy when it is made available to me.

Fur farming is a legitimate farming activity in this country. Under the Musk Rats Act 1933 (Application to Mink) Order 1965, the keeping of mink is prohibited except under licence obtained from my Department. Licences are issued under this legislation only if the applicant, following an inspection, is found to be compliant with a number of key conditions.

Licensed fur farms are also inspected to assess compliance with the Council of Europe recommendations concerning fur animals and Council Directive 98/58/EC concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes. These farms may only utilise slaughter methods permitted under the Sixth Schedule of the European Communities (Protection of Animals at Time of Slaughter) Regulations 1995.

The Deputy should note the Irish fur industry is fully aware of animal welfare requirements and it has displayed a willingness to comply with the requirements of the Department. Given that the licensed fur farms operating in this country meet current national and EU requirements, no reason exists to ban what is, after all, a legitimate farming activity which is permitted in the greater majority of EU member states. It is my belief that a ban on fur farming would mean that Ireland's market share would be taken up by another fur producing country. Therefore, a ban would not serve any practical purpose.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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I thank the Minister and look forward to receiving that report from the veterinary experts working on it. Very little reason exists to justify fur farming in this country. Economically, it is of extremely small significance. It raises animal welfare issues and if we examine it we see it is only a fashion statement in terms of the provision of animal fur rather than of any significant financial value.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I do not see the necessity for a ban. We have a market share and it would only lead to a direct replacement of that market share. The Deputy knows my views on animal welfare. I am strict and stringent on such issues. I was assured welfare legislation is adhered to, inspections take place and licensing is in place. It accounts for only a small number of farms. On the basis that people work within the welfare requirements which evolved during the past number of years, I am more than happy with how things stand. Naturally, we will take into consideration the outcome of the work done by the veterinarians and the Deputy can rest assured FAWAC will be in touch with me.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Fur farming is already banned in the UK, Austria and Luxembourg and precedents exist within the European Union. It appears other countries do not have a significant uptake. Consequently, I put it to the Minister that banning it in Ireland will not have a knock-on effect whereby other countries take it up by virtue of our non-production of mink fur.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Upton is correct. However, it is important that if a ban is introduced it is on a phased basis because of the impact of the release of captive animals. Difficulties arose in the past when those animals got out for one reason or another. The UK had a number of reports in this regard. What steps are being taken to ensure this does not happen and wildfowl or other flora and fauna are not damaged?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Many of my European colleagues who are vociferous on matters such as live exports have a great deal of fur farming in their countries. Sometimes we should ask the right question to see what comparative analysis exists. On the basis of the statutory requirements set down and any reviews which must take place, it is not my intention to ban fur farming. Other member states can make up their own minds on what they want to do. As it stands, no necessity exists to ban fur farming here.

Regarding animals which get out, issues arose in my part of the world particularly regarding that fences were of the highest standard. Equally, it is important to state criminal activity can occur where people interfere with fences just for the fun of it. Standards are set on fencing and access to these types of farms. I am not aware of concerns in the past year or two of animals escaping from particular farms. Where particular issues arose, they were addressed.