Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the frequency with which equipment used to carry out on-farm slaughter of farmed mink is inspected and tested by her Departmental officials; and what these inspections entail. [37826/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Regulation 4 of SI 114 of 1995 states that the owner or person in charge of animals to be slaughtered or slaughtered on-farm shall ensure that the animals be spared any avoidable excitement, pain or suffering during movement, lairaging, restraint, stunning, slaughter or killing. Accordingly animals must be slaughtered in compliance with Schedule 6 of the European Communities (Protection of Animals at Time of Slaughter) Regulations 1995. Equipment is inspected annually and entails ascertainment of compliance with Section II (parts 4 and 6) of the Sixth Schedule of the above named legislation.

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the frequency with which equipment used to carry out on-farm slaughter of farmed fox by electrocution is inspected and tested by her Departmental officials; and what these inspections entail. [37827/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Regulation 4 of SI 114 of 1995 states that the owner or person in charge of animals to be slaughtered or slaughtered on-farm shall ensure that the animals be spared any avoidable excitement, pain or suffering during movement, lairaging, restraint, stunning, slaughter or killing. Accordingly animals must be slaughtered in compliance with Schedule six of the European Communities (Protection of Animals at Time of Slaughter) Regulations, 1995. Equipment is inspected annually and entails ascertainment of compliance with section II (Part 3) of the Sixth Schedule of the above named legislation.

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 355: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if animals on fur farms are killed by lethal injection; if so, the substance which is used and if same is administered by a veterinarian. [37828/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Lethal injection is not routinely used to kill animals on fur farms. However, in the event that injection should be used, the injection concerned contains the active ingredient pentobarbital sodium. Medicines containing pentobarbital sodium must be administered by a veterinary surgeon or in his or her presence.