Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister and his officials. Once again we are having a very interesting debate on agri- and food related matters. The priority of the Minister's Department is to develop, enhance and expand our food industry and the jobs that flow from it. The whole question of animal husbandry and the care of animals physically and psychologically are very much part of that project. The more people we convince at home and abroad about the qualify of Irish food, the better. The care of animals and the maintenance of our farming stock is very much part of what the Minister is working towards. Some of the Bill is perhaps tidying up previous legislation and regulations but it is very helpful.

I did not hear the Minister's contribution but I will get the opportunity to read it. I listened to my colleagues' contributions and to what Senator Mary Ann O'Brien said in regard to the film "Food, Inc". I have not seen it but recall seeing films on the same sort of topics. One film related to poultry production. I came from the very traditionalist view that poultry and chicken meat is healthy, fat free and good for one but then I saw some of the television programmes on chickens being produced in 28 days or 30 days and I got an entirely different picture of that side of the market. We need to keep spreading the message that animals produced in Ireland are produced properly, that the regulations are up to date and that the meat produced here, whether beef, lamb, chicken or otherwise, is produced to the highest possible standard because that is very important in the selling of our agri-industry.

I listened also to what Senator Mary Ann O'Brien said about ragwort, although perhaps it is not part of the Bill. I know the local authorities have a particular responsibility in that regard. I recall a time when every Garda station and every second public building had big signs up about the dangers of ragwort, its illegality and the obligations on the land owners. The same local authorities were probably the biggest offenders. Council lands, including vacant council lands, are often full of ragwort, so they had better start to practice what they preach.

The explanatory memorandum states that the legislation will provide for the protection of all animals, whether farm animals, sport animals, pets or otherwise. I have two brief questions in that regard. Perhaps if I had been here for the Minister's contribution, I might not have to ask them. I refer to the continuing difficulty with the sale of pups and puppy farming. Perhaps the Minister will give us an update on that. It was very much a page one story for a number of months 18 months ago or two years ago. Has progress been made? Perhaps the economic trends and the down cycle has resulted in puppy farming not being the exceptionally lucrative trade it was but there were major difficulties. Can the Minister report any progress in that regard?

On the equine side, the Minister's performance as Minister with responsibility for the horse racing industry has been very much lauded. Problems arose 12 or 24 months ago because of the overproduction of horses that were being sold cheaply and not receiving proper care. Has progress been made on this issue?

I welcome what the Minister is doing in this area. He has achieved the right balance and people involved in hunting and country sports have in general welcomed this legislation and his overall approach. I listened with interest to Senator O'Neill when he informed us that Kilkenny is a centre for reptiles and snakes. Perhaps a word to St. Patrick would be opportune.