Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 488: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the freedom of movement clause in S.I. No. 14 of 2008, European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations 2008. [42688/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Statutory Instrument No. 14 of 2008, European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations 2008 gives effect to a series of European Directives concerning the protection of animals including Council Directive 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 which lays down minimum standards for the protection of animals bred or kept for farming purposes. Among the issues covered in Council Directive 98/58/EC is one relating to freedom of movement which requires that an animal not be restricted in such a way as to cause it unnecessary suffering or injury and where an animal is continuously or regularly confined, it must be given the space appropriate to its physiological and ethological needs in accordance with established experience and scientific knowledge.

My Department has an inspection regime in place, which requires that all farm enterprises be inspected regularly to ensure compliance with national legislation. Mink farms are among the farm enterprises that are inspected regularly by Veterinary Inspectors of my Department and the keeping of mink is prohibited except under licence. Farms are 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. Inspections on these farms have to date, found that the farms are operating in compliance with current legislation.

High animal welfare standards are an essential component of modern farming and Ireland was among those member states that earlier this year supported the adoption at EU level of a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare. The Deputy will be aware that under the renewed Programme for Government there is a commitment to phase out fur farming over three years and my Officials are currently assessing the legislative changes required to give effect to that commitment.