Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce policy and legislation governing welfare of race horses; when legislation will be introduced; if the legislation will bring Ireland in line with the race horse welfare provision of other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27915/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department currently has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals only i.e. animals normally bred or kept for the production of food or for use in or for the purpose of farming. The relevant legislation in this area is the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act, 1984 and the European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations 2010, S.I. 311 of 2010. With regard to animal welfare in general, the main statutes governing cruelty to all animals, including race horses, in this country is the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1965. Responsibility for pursuing cases under this legislation rests with the Garda Síochána, who may on receipt of a complaint investigate and bring a prosecution against any person alleged to have committed an offence under these Acts.

There are legislative commitments relating to animal welfare in The Programme for Government 2011, including a commitment to amend and strengthen legislation on animal cruelty and animal welfare. A draft Animal Health and Welfare Bill giving effect to this commitment is in the course of preparation. The Bill is a comprehensive piece of legislation providing a broad basis for regulating the related areas of animal health and welfare. Drafting is ongoing with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and it is my intention to publish the Bill at an early date.