Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if fur farm operatives who carry out on-farm slaughter of farmed mink and fox are required to have formal training in slaughter techniques; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37761/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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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 also required to comply with the relevant provisions of the European Communities (Protection of Animals at time of Slaughter ) Regulations 1995, S.I. No. 114 of 1995. These regulations, while not requiring formal training, require that the owner or person in charge of animals to be slaughtered on fur farms must ensure that animals are spared any unavoidable excitement, pain or suffering.

Licensed fur farms are inspected under the above regulations. In addition to ensuring compliance with general welfare requirements, inspections also ascertain compliance with the slaughter methods permitted under the Sixth Schedule of the European Communities (Protection of Animals at Time of Slaughter) Regulations 1995, which gives effect to Council Directive 93/119/EC.