Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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294. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding tail docking in dairy herds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49716/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There has been a long standing ban on the tail docking of cattle. The current legal basis for this ban is S.I. No. 225/2014 - Prohibition on Tail-docking (Bovines) (No. 2) Regulations 2014, which replaced regulations made under the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984. This SI prohibits the removal of the tail, or part of the tail of cattle. An exception is allowed where the procedure is carried out by a veterinary practitioner under anaesthetic if, in his or her opinion, it is necessary for the proper treatment of a disease or injury in that animal. The veterinary practitioner must issue a certificate for this procedure identifying the animal and the reason for the procedure.