Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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455. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address concerns for the welfare of mink that are caged in fur farms in view of the recent weather; if he will arrange for veterinary inspectors to visit these farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31538/18]

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 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.