Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I wish to refer generally to section 25. Bearing in mind what the Minister said, codes of conduct have garnered many views and opinions within farming organisations. Currently, voluntary codes of practice are in place, many of which were written by Teagasc and which work effectively. The argument of farming organisations and farmers is that they are licensed to the Department through flock number or herd number. The number is registered to the individual farmer or farming unit and the Department has a records system. Nevertheless, there is a major difficulty in this country. There was a difficult case in the constituency in which I live over the weekend, whereby a pet was mutilated by a third party. There are no codes of practice for owners of pets, cats or birds. I ask the Minister to bear in mind the distinction between introducing a code of practice on a statutory footing for pet owners and the need to have flexibility, scope and negotiation with the farming organisations in respect of statutory codes of practice for farm animals. Perhaps the Minister can bear that distinction in mind and liaise with farming organisations before setting anything on a statutory footing. I appreciate where the Minister is coming from and there is a need to protect animals at every level, including animals on the farm. It is important there are clear guidelines. Some 99.9% of farmers comply with voluntary codes of practice so they should not have anything to worry about. However, organisations need some reassurance.

Section 25(1)(b) refers to how the Minister may "adopt a code of practice published by another person (whether within the State or otherwise)". Codes of practice in other jurisdictions may not fit our jurisdiction. The expertise exists within the Department and Teagasc to draw up a code of practice. Perhaps the Minister should take that approach instead of duplicating the approach of another jurisdiction in the US or in Europe. I am not sure whether the Minister can come back on Report Stage but perhaps there will be an opportunity in the consultative process with organisations to take on board this point before introducing the code on a statutory footing.