Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of fur farmers in operation in the State; the value of this type of farming to the economy; the number of fur farmers in each county, and in North Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6831/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Musk Rats Act 1933 (Application to Mink) Order 1965 the keeping of mink is prohibited except under licence from my Department. Licences are issued under this legislation only if the applicant, following an inspection carried out by officials from my Department, is found to be compliant with a number of key conditions. There are currently six enterprises licensed by my Department to keep mink, three are situated in County Donegal, one in County Laois, one in County Kerry and one in County Sligo. My Department has not issued any licences for the keeping of mink in North Tipperary.

My Department does not have information regarding the contribution of fur farming to the economy however data provided by the CSO would indicate that the value of exports of raw fur skins of mink to be €1.6 million in 2003.