Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Fisheries and Food when the new Animal Health and Welfare Bill will be brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas. [17615/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government 2011 includes a commitment to amend and strengthen legislation on animal cruelty and animal welfare. In this regard I am proposing to publish an Animal Health and Welfare Bill later this year to give effect to this commitment and to build on ongoing legislative drafting in this area which includes the consolidation of a wide range of existing animal health and welfare legislation as well as replacing and repealing a long list of outdated legislation.

In the area of animal health, the Bill will deal with arrangements for the prevention, control and eradication of animal diseases. Provision will be made to require owners of animals to take measures to minimise the risk of spreading disease and it will be an offence to transmit a disease or introduce a disease agent.

Mindful of the fact that current animal welfare legislation dates back to 1911, it is opportune to update existing provisions in this area. The Bill therefore deals in some detail with animal welfare. It will provide that the welfare of animals is adequately protected and will address issues such as the prevention of needless pain or unnecessary suffering of animals as well as dealing with control measure relating to the abandonment of animals. Cruelty involving animals will be specifically prohibited and such activities will be an offence under the legislation.

The Bill will deal comprehensively with proscribed procedures and it will be an offence to mutilate animals, other than when necessary under veterinary supervision for the health and welfare of the individual animal. The Bill will also allow for the continuation of normal farming, sporting and other activities where these do not involve reckless endangerment of the welfare of animals.

The Bill provides for increased powers for authorised officers and will update the level of penalties to be imposed with fines being proportionate to the offence.

The Bill will consolidate into my Department overall responsibility for policy and legislative measures relating to both the health and welfare of all animals including for the first time pet animals. The updating of existing legislation in the area of animal health and welfare and its consolidation into a single statute will assist all those who deal with or have an interest in animal health and welfare matters.