Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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220. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is examining the possibility of banning fur farming here; the status of the codes of practice set out in the review report of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28132/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals under the European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations, 2010(Statutory Instrument No 311/2010) and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.  Irish fur farmers are, in this regard, subject to the same animal welfare legislation as other livestock farmers. 

A small number of Member States have imposed bans on fur farming, however the activity is common in many European countries.

A review of all aspects of fur farming in Ireland was commissioned in November 2011.The Terms of Reference of the Review Group were:

(i) To review fur farming in Ireland taking into account existing legislative provisions for the licensing of mink farming;

(ii) To comment on the economic benefits of the sector;

(iii) To consider the effectiveness of existing welfare controls, and

(iv) To make appropriate recommendations

The Review Group invited submissions from the public and interested parties and considered over four hundred submissions which were received.

The Group concluded that it did not find the arguments in favour of banning the farming of fur animals in Ireland compelling and recommended that instead, fur farming be allowed continue under licence and subject to official control.

On foot of the Review Group’s deliberations, my Department introduced more rigorous controls on licence holders in the areas of animal welfare, animal accommodation, security and nutrient management. Licensees are subject to regular inspections, including unannounced inspections by the Departments Veterinary officers.

The group recommended that Codes of practice be drawn up. Codes of practice were drafted in consultation with my Department's agricultural inspectors and a public consultation on them was held in 2014.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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221. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections at each fur farm here in each year since 2015 to date; the number of minks killed at fur farms here in each year since 2015 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28133/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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There are currently 3 mink fur farms operating in Ireland. Inspections of these farms relating to their licensing and to animal welfare matters are carried out by officers from my Department. Since 2015 there have been 36 inspections carried out, breakdown for each year as follows:

My Department does not hold records of the numbers of mink slaughtered.