Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the regulations which she requires the managers of fur farms to follow; and the way in which such managers are accountable for the public nuisance caused by such activities, including the escape of mink. [17403/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Fur farming is a legitimate farming activity in this country and is permitted in most member states of the EU. It is, of course, subject to general and specific legislative requirements. At a general level, the welfare and protection of farmed animals is subject to the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984 and the European Communities (Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes) Regulations 2000. In addition, the Council of Europe has made recommendations regarding animals kept for fur farming. The 2000 regulations apply to many types of farming systems throughout the country, including cattle, sheep and pigs, as well as the animals kept on fur farms.

As regards specific measures, we have legislation in place relating to the licensing of mink farms in the Musk Rats Act 1933 and the Musk Rats Act 1933 (Application to Mink) Order 1965. Under the latter, the keeping of mink is prohibited except under licence from my Department. Licences, which must be renewed annually, are issued under this legislation only if the applicant, following an inspection, is found to be fully compliant with a number of key conditions.

The terms and conditions for obtaining a licence to operate a mink farm require that: mink shall be kept only at the premises specified in the licence; mink shall be kept in cages or other containers of such material and constructed in such a manner as to prevent their escape; buildings or parts of buildings used for the keeping of mink shall be constructed in such a manner or enclosed by such material as would, in the opinion of the authorised officer, prevent the escape of mink; the licence holder shall ensure that trees, shrubs and undergrowth are not growing or planted in such a position to the guard fence as would, in the opinion of the authorised officer, render the escape of mink possible; any drainage channels on such licensed premises shall be adequately guarded to prevent the escape of mink; licence holders must inform persons to whom they dispose of mink of the need for a licence to keep them; the Department must be informed if mink cease to be kept at any premises covered by this licence and of any change in ownership; authorised officers must be allowed to inspect the premises at all reasonable times; if any mink escape the Department must be informed at once; a licence is issued subject to compliance with all relevant legislation.

Failure to comply with all relevant legislation and, or, any of the conditions of a licence may result in the licence being revoked. In addition, in common with all agricultural enterprises, licensed farms must comply with the animal health and welfare requirements pertaining to their particular sphere of activity.

Licensed fur farms are inspected by the Department to assess compliance with the Council of Europe recommendations concerning fur animals and also Council Directive 98/58/EC on keeping of animals kept for farming purposes. These inspections have to date found that all the licensed fur farms in this country have been operating in compliance with current legislation. Inspections by the Department have also found that the slaughter methods employed by the licensed fur farms are permitted under the Sixth Schedule of the European Communities (Protection of Animals at Time of Slaughter) Regulations, 1995.

Environmental problems arising from wild mink or relating to escaped mink come within the remit of the national parks and wildlife service.