Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the controls in place and the inspections carried out to ensure the well-being of animals used in circuses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3426/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The position as regards the welfare and protection of animals is that my statutory responsibility relates to the welfare and protection of farmed animals only and does not extend to other animals. The Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act, 1984 and the European Communities (Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes) Regulations 2006 (SI No 705 of 2006) is the legislation that applies in this area.

In relation to circus animals, my Department's responsibility relates to ensuring that animals imported for use in a circus are imported in accordance with animal health certification requirements. Licences are issued in accordance with the Rabies (Importation, Landing and Movement of Animals) (Amendment) Orders 1972-1976. In addition Commission Regulation 1739/2005 lays down registration, passport and animal health requirements in the case of circus animals that move between Member States.

The Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965 are the principal statutes governing the welfare of animals in this country. The responsibility for pursuing complaints under that legislation rests with An Garda Síochána. On receipt of such a complaint, the Gardaí have a statutory basis on which to investigate and bring a prosecution against any person alleged to have committed an act of cruelty against an animal.

Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will introduce measures to ban fur farming here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3427/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Fur farming is a legitimate farming activity in this country. Under the Musk Rats Act, 1933 (Application to Mink) Order 1965, the keeping of mink is prohibited except under licence, obtained from my Department. Licences are issued under this legislation only if the applicant, following an inspection, is found to be compliant with a number of key conditions.

Fur Farming is also considered to be a legitimate farming activity throughout the greater majority of Member States of the European Union, the exceptions being the UK, Austria and Luxembourg where fur farming is not permitted.

Given that the licensed fur farms operating in this country meet current national and EU requirements there would be no basis on which it could be banned.