Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 433: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there is a need for a licence under any environmental Act to retain specific animals on a farm (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24501/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department does not have statutory responsibility concerning the keeping on farms of non-domestic animals such as those referred to.

My Department has responsibility for:-

Implementation of Council Directive 92/65/EEC (Balai), which is transposed nationally by Statutory instrument No. 12 of 1996 European Communities (Trade in Animals and Animal Semen, Ova and Embryos) Regulations 1996. This legislation requires that only registered premises may import the species of animals referred to therein (primates, non-domestic ungulates, birds (other than poultry), bees, lagomorphs and dogs/cats and ferrets. Importation is carried out by way of import licence issued under this legislation.

Implementation of Council Regulation 998/2003/EC (on non-commercial movement of pet animals), which is transposed by Statutory Instrument No. 263 of 2009 European Communities (Pet Passport) Regulations 2009. This legislation facilitates the movement of pet dogs, cats and ferrets with pet passports or certificates, but does not set down rules for movement of other pets ("pet animals" in this regard being defined as animals listed in Annex 1 of the EU pet regulation). The Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and the Protection of Animals (amendment) Act 1965 affords certain protection of wild animals and is enforced by An Garda Síochána.