Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 419: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she has plans to regulate or ban fur farming here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14490/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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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. Licensed fur farms are also inspected to assess compliance with the Council of Europe recommendations concerning fur animals and Council Directive 98/58/EC concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes. These inspections have, to date, found that the licensed fur farms have been operating in compliance with current legislation.

The slaughtering of fur animals is governed by national legislation, namely the European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations 2008. My Department will continue to monitor the operation of licensed fur farms to assess their compliance with all current legislation.

Given that the licensed fur farms operating in this country meet current national and EU requirements there is no reason why what is, after all, a legitimate farming activity, which is permitted in the greater majority of EU Member States, should be banned. There is no legislation specifically governing the licensing of fox farms in Ireland.