Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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992. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to footage (details supplied); if this farm passed its 2017 health and welfare inspection; and if the 2017 inspection report contained details of distressed animals. [25341/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department conducts its responsibilities in the area of animal welfare under the legal framework set out in the European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations, 2010(Statutory Instrument No 311/2010) and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

In relation to the facility referred to, two inspections were carried out in the course of 2017 by inspectors from my Department, at the midpoint of the year and again at the end of the year. In both inspection reports the animals were noted as exhibiting normal behaviour. The animals on the days of inspection were alert and in good health.

Licence holders continue to be subject to rigorous controls in the areas of animal welfare, animal accommodation and nutrient management. Licensees are subject to regular inspections, including unannounced inspections by Department officials.