Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will instruct the scientific advisory committee on animal health and welfare to consider the issues relevant to the setting up of an animal procedures group here which would perform the research necessary to institute proper evidence based guidelines regarding animal health and welfare standards including those which would apply to animals used in experiments for scientific purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3742/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals under 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).

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Animal Health and Welfare was established in 2002. It is independently chaired and includes among its membership persons of particular expertise and scientific distinction. This Committee is available to advise me on scientific dimensions of specific aspects relating to animal health or welfare.

My Department does not have a statutory role regarding the use of animals for experimental or other scientific purposes which is regulated under EU and national legislation (respectively Council Directive 86/609/EEC and the European Communities (Amendment to Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876) Regulations, 1994). Statutory responsibility for this legislation falls within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Health and Children.