Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

443. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if inspectors have visited fur farms to inspect the welfare of mink in view of their semi-aquatic nature and the recent hot weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31383/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 subject to the same animal welfare legislation as any other livestock farmer. 

There was an unannounced inspection carried out this summer on one of the three Irish mink farms and no welfare issues were raised. My Department will continue to carry out inspections both planned and unplanned on the facilities in question.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

444. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the prohibition of fur farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31384/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 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. I accept the findings of the review group and its recommendations.

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 Department officials.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

445. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 494 of 30 January 2018 and 1000 of 12 June 2018, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that farmed mink do not have access to bathing water and that as semi-aquatic mammals mink require access to water to regulate their body temperatures in warm weather; if he will arrange for veterinary inspections to be carried out in mink farms to assess and ensure the health of the animals during the recent unprecedented warm weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31387/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 subject to the same animal welfare legislation as any other livestock farmer. 

There has been an unannounced inspection carried out this summer on one of the three Irish  mink farms and no issues were raised. My Department will continue to carry out inspections both planned and unplanned on the facilities in question as appropriate.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

446. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to improve the legislative framework for animal welfare and to ensure better enforcement of existing legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31391/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The legal framework for animal welfare is provided by the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. This is a modern Act and is the main legal instrument available to my Department to enforce animal welfare standards. The basic rule may be summarised by stating that persons having possession or control of an animal have responsibility for the care and welfare of that animal; it is this person’s duty to take all necessary steps to protect the animal from unnecessary suffering and neglect, and not to be reckless regarding the animal’s welfare. There is a specific requirement to ensure that an animal has access to an adequate supply of wholesome food and water.

The Act  is enforced by authorised officers of my Department based at regional offices around the country, members of an Garda Síochána, officers of Customs and Excise and authorised officers of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.  In addition, the Chief Executive of a local authority may appoint officers of the local authority to be authorised officers within the administrative area of the authority.

The main powers of enforcement under the Act are contained in section 38 which provides for extensive powers of inspection and investigation, including in appropriate circumstances, seizure and detention of animals. Section 42 provides for a system of legally binding notices, the breach of which constitutes a criminal offence.

The Act provides for a range of penalties that may be imposed. On summary conviction, an offender may be fined up to €5,000 (a Class A fine) and/or be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of up to 6 months. On conviction on indictment, a fine of up to €250,000 and or a term of 5 years imprisonment may be imposed. The Court may also, in particular circumstances disqualify a person from owning, keeping,  having charge or control (directly or indirectly) of an animal, or being involved with activities relating to animals for a period, including, where appropriate, for the life of the person. The determination of any particular case is, of course, a matter for the trial court. There have been 50 prosecutions to date with a further 28 ongoing.

In summary, the current modern legislative framework provided by the Act is considered fit for purpose. Similarly enforcement of the existing legislation has been working satisfactorily, and is kept under review with a view to ongoing improvements as needed.