Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to published legislation in the United Kingdom which seeks to restrict the species of animal that can be used in circus entertainment; and if she intends to introduce similar legislation here. [11368/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the Animal Welfare Bill currently being discussed in the United Kingdom provides for a ban on using certain wild animals in travelling circuses. My Department's responsibilities relating to circus animals are confined solely to ensuring animals imported for use in a circus are imported in accordance with animal health certification requirements. The Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965 are the principal statutes governing the welfare of animals in this country. Responsibility for ensuring the implementation of this legislation rests with the Garda Síochána.

Commission Regulation 1739/2005 lays down animal health requirements for the movement of circus animals between member states. I welcome this regulation, which will apply in Ireland from January 2007, as providing a clear framework for the monitoring of circus movement across the EU. Apart from this regulation, I do not intend to introduce additional specific welfare legislation.