Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 502: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on bringing forward legislation similar to the recently enacted Animal Welfare Act in the UK which brings together more than 20 items of animal welfare legislation relating to farmed and non-farmed animals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5276/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has certain statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals. The legislation governing this is the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984 and the European Communities (Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes) Regulations, 2006. In addition, there is specific legislation in relation to pigs, calves and laying hens, and to the slaughter of animals. My Department's responsibilities in this area do not extend to non-farmed animals.

The main statutes governing cruelty to animals generally in this country are the Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965. Responsibility for pursuing complaints under that legislation rests with An Garda Síochána who may, on receipt of a complaint, investigate and bring a prosecution against any person alleged to have committed an act of cruelty against an animal.

My Department is at present engaged in drafting legislation in relation to animal health with a view to consolidating and updating existing requirements. Final decisions have not yet been made in relation to the areas that will come within the scope of that legislation.