Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 839: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the use of calf hutches for the individual rearing of calves out of doors is permitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1487/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Where accommodation by way of pens or hutches is provided outdoors for calves, the application of good animal husbandry practices is essential to ensure their good health and welfare. The use of confined individual pens (rebuilt or brought into use after 1 January 1998) for calves after the age of eight weeks is prohibited. Calves up to eight weeks of age, when kept in individual pens, must have direct visual and tactile contact with other calves unless a veterinary practitioner requires the animal to be individually isolated to receive treatment.