Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the code of ethics as set out under the Animal Welfare Bill; when the code of ethics will be published; what it contains; if the code of ethics is merely a guideline; if it will create new legislation; the persons who will have to abide by the code; the way the code of ethics will secure the safety of animals particularly in respect of the practise of digging out foxes and hares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17789/13]

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in regard to the practice of digging out of foxes who have gone to ground, if he has stated that the Animal Welfare Bill will include the strict application of a code of ethics; if he will outline the contents of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17949/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 214 together.

The Animal Health and Welfare Bill, which is currently before the Oireachtas, contains provisions relating to the prohibition of cruelty to animals at Section 12 of the Bill. Section 25 of the Bill provides for the adoption of Codes of Practice for the purposes of providing practical guidance relating to any of the purposes of the Act, including cruelty to animals. Sub-section 25(7) states that a failure to observe a Code of Practice (where there was a Code of Practice in effect at the time of the commission of an offence) is admissible in evidence before a court.

With regard to the Codes of Practice, the Bill provides for a consultation process in advance of codes being adopted. The codes will apply to all relevant persons involved in the area to which the codes refer and it is my intention to ensure that the codes, when adopted, will be kept under review.