Written answers

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Animal Welfare

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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581. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his position regarding introducing a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses. [29961/14]

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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605. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will implement a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses. [29811/14]

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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610. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to a camel escaping from a circus in Fermoy on the evening of 2 July, 2014; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this is the second time a camel has escaped this year; his views that this is evidence of the inability of circuses to adapt to the nature and needs of wild animals; if he will consider a ban in view of the dangers posed to wild animals such as possible escape; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29928/14]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 581, 605 and 610 together.

The two incidents regarding the camels referred to have been brought to the attention of my officials. The conditions under which circus animals are kept and managed come under the scope of the new Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. My Department has met with representatives from circus groups and the ISPCA and the DSPCA to discuss the use of animals in circuses with a view to preparing a Code of Practice for circuses to be adopted under Section 25 of the new Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. I have no plans at this time to ban the use of animals in circuses.

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