Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on whether current legislation provides for proper controls in preventing the ill-treatment of animals; her proposals to introduce a duty of care for animal owners here; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that such legislation exists in other countries and that the UK is planning to introduce similar legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6306/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Primary responsibility for the welfare of animals rests with the owner or keeper of the animals. The owners-keepers are obliged to take all reasonable steps to ensure the welfare of animals under their care and to ensure that such animals are not caused any unnecessary pain, suffering or injury.

The welfare of animals kept for farming purposes in general is covered by the European Communities (Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes) Regulations 2000 and the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984.

In addition, the welfare of calves and pigs is subject to the European Communities (Welfare of Calves and Pigs) Regulations 2003 (SI 48 of 2003) which set out minimum requirements for accommodation in relation to space; lighting; ventilation; veterinary treatment and so on and to allow animals to express natural behaviour.

Laying hens are subject to the provisions of the European Communities (Welfare of Laying Hens) Regulations 2002 (SI 98 of 2002) which specify the accommodation and other welfare requirements for keeping and rearing laying hens.

Under current legislation the welfare of animals being transported must be protected. Inspections on the welfare of animals being transported are undertaken by officials from my Department on a national spot-check basis at meat factories, marts and ports and any follow-up action necessary is undertaken. The outcome of these inspections is reported to the European Commission.

Complaints received by my Department about on-farm welfare of animals are investigated thoroughly under the above-mentioned regulations and appropriate action is taken.

The Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council, FAWAC, which was established in 2002, has brought together for the first time in Ireland, representatives of the principal stakeholders, welfare organisations, farming bodies, Government Departments North and South and veterinary representative bodies, in an advisory body. FAWAC already published animal welfare guidelines for beef, dairy and sheep farmers and guidelines for equines are currently being drafted.

One of the initiatives which has recently been taken under the umbrella of FAWAC is an early warning-intervention system for animal welfare cases which involves my Department, the Irish Farmers Association and the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals. The objective of this system is to provide a framework within which problems can be identified and addressed before they become critical or overwhelming.

The current body of legislation in this area provides the necessary powers to ensure a high level of animal welfare and to prevent ill treatment of animals. The UK Government is planning to introduce new legislation relating to animal welfare and related areas.