Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 7:

In page 14, line 7, after "terrified" to insert the following:

"unless accepted as a normal farming activity/method".

Amendments Nos. 7, 11 and 14 to 16, inclusive, relate to normal farming practices. They provide for a distinction in the legislation between the owner of a budgerigar, fish tank, pet dog or cat and what would be described as normal farming practices for productive farming, that is, farmers who would be registered under a herd or flock number. Under the legislation the Minister is proposing to put codes of practice, which are voluntary codes at present, on a statutory footing. The Minister has said he will talk to the farming organisations about that. However, given that he is doing this under the legislation, does he believe that the words "normal farming or agricultural practices" could be included in the legislation? I am not sure if it can be done. Is there a legal issue if that wording was added or would it be acceptable?