Written answers

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Animal Welfare

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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609. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason no sufficient advertising was carried out by his Department to announce the publication of the draft code of practice for the fur farming of mink; the reason no invitation was advertised for public consultation; the reason no date of publication was published on his Department's website including a deadline date for public submissions or an email address to send the public submissions; the reason no real consultative process was carried out with animal welfare groups inviting their formal submissions for the draft code of practice; if the current drafting of a code of practice for circuses is open to public consultation; where on the website this information is available; his views on extending the deadline for both submissions in view of the lack of sufficient public awareness of this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29927/14]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, there was an extensive Public Consultation in 2008 and 2009 on the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which covered all aspects of animal health and welfare. Furthermore, there was an extensive debate on these issues in both houses of the Oireachtas, including on fur farming. My Department issued a press release on 7 of March announcing the commencement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. This press release also stated that, as part of this commencement, the draft Code of Practice on Mink Farming was being placed on the Department of Agriculture website for public consultation. I have extended the deadline for submissions on the draft Code for The Farming of Mink to Friday, 18 July 2014. The Code for of Practice for Circuses is not at a draft stage yet. However, my Department will happily receive submissions in the preparation of the Code.

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