Written answers

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food

Fur Farming

8:00 pm

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 733: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any guarantees have been made to fur farmers; if submissions for the fur farming review are still being considered and if a ban on fur farming will be implemented in the Bill as both Fine Gael and Labour have voted to ban fur farming in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41442/11]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I established a Review Group in my Department last November 2011 to review all aspects of fur farming. The Terms of Reference of the Group are:

1. To review fur farming in Ireland taking into account existing legislative provisions for the licensing of mink farming

2. To comment on the economic benefits of the sector

3. To consider the effectiveness of existing welfare controls, and

4. To make appropriate recommendations

Submissions were invited on the review with a closing date for receipt of submissions of 31st December 2011. A large number of submissions have now been received from interested parties and these are currently being examined by the Review Group. The Group will submit its report to me by the end of January and I will consider what action, if any, to take following the submission and conclusions of the Group's findings.

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 734: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all mink and fox skins are exported or if some are sold here. [41443/11]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department does not collect this information. Fur Farming is a commercial activity and fur farmers may sell their product in a manner of their own choosing. The Deputy may wish to consult Trade Statistics data produced by the Central Statistics Office with a view to establishing the volume of goods exported.

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