Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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465. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections of mink fur farms in each year since 2012; the number of scheduled inspections; the number of unannounced inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42563/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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There are currently three mink fur farms operating in Ireland. The number of farms reduced from four to three in 2014.

Inspections of these farms relating to their licensing and to animal welfare matters are carried out by officers from my Department.

Since 2012 there have been 62 inspections carried out of which 39 have been unannounced, breakdown for each year is as follows:

In 2011, a Review Group was established to examine all aspects of fur farming in Ireland.  On foot of the Report, that was published in 2012, my Department introduced more rigorous controls on fur farms in the areas of animal welfare, animal accommodation, security and nutrient management. Fur farms are subject to regular inspections, including unannounced inspections by Department officials on foot this report.