Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 177: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of persons who are employed full-time and part-time on fur farms here. [37459/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 six licensed fur farms operating in the country at present. The specific figures sought by the Deputy on numbers of persons employed on fur farms is not required under legislation and is not collected by my Department.

Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 178: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total number and average cost of inspections carried out by departmental inspectors of fur farms in 2004 and to date in 2005. [37461/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the Musk Rats Act 1933 (Application to Mink) Order 1965, the keeping of mink is prohibited except under licence from my Department. There are six licensed fur farms operating in the country at present. The conditions for a licence set out, in accordance with the legislation, the nature of the premises upon which mink may be kept, the precautions to be taken to prevent the escape of mink, the duration of the licence and the returns to be made by the licence holder.

Fur farming is regulated for animal welfare purposes by the provisions of the Protection of Animals kept for farming purposes Act 1984 and by the European Communities (Protection of Animals kept for farming purposes) Regulations 2000 which transposes the provision of EU Directive 98/58/EC concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes. Licensed fur farms are inspected by officials from my Department to assess compliance with this legislation and with the European Communities (Protection of Animals at Time of Slaughter) Regulations 1995 and the Council of Europe recommendations concerning fur animals.

The total cost of inspections carried out by inspectors from my Department was €6,689 in 2004 and €6,859 in 2005. The average cost of these inspections was €446 in 2004 and €381 in 2005.

Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 179: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the annual licence fee paid by a fur farm operator. [37462/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

An annual fee of €350 has been charged to date and the fee is currently under review.

Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 180: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the average duration to death recorded by Government veterinary inspectors when they have witnessed animals being slaughtered on fur farms. [37463/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Owners of fur farms where animals are being slaughtered are obliged to comply with the European Communities (Protection of animals at time of slaughter) Regulations 1995. The legislation lays down the specific requirements of the systems used for the on-farm slaughter of fur animals. The specific requirements of this legislation do not require the recording of the average duration to death of animals which are being slaughtered. My Department is committed to ensuring compliance with EU and national legislation and that best practices are observed during slaughter of animals on fur farms.