Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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1279. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of his Department’s engagement with the World Organisation for Animal Health; if his Department is working with the organisation to improve the conditions of slaughter in third countries to which live animals are exported; the level of funding provided to the organisation by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17057/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department, in cooperation with our EU partners, works closely with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The OIE is the global standard setting body relating to animal health and animal welfare.

Ireland has been a member of the OIE European Platform Steering Committee on Animal Welfare since its creation in 2013 and has offered technical inputs for the development of the OIE Platform action plans. In July 2017, Ireland contributed financial support to OIE activities and initiatives on animal welfare and planned under the framework of the OIE Platform. These specific areas are (a) slaughter of animals in the regions of Eastern Europe, Middle East and Northern Africa, and (b) long-distance transport, including "whole journey scenario" by land and/or sea in inter-regional journeys.

To support these activities, Ireland has provided three annual instalments of €75,000 (€225,000 in total). On the basis of this collaborative agreement, Ireland receives annual technical and financial progress reports on activities conducted in the specific areas and proposed future activities to be implemented.

While these activities have been curtailed recently by COVID-19, I am satisfied with the progress made to date on these initiatives.

Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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1280. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria by which stakeholders will be selected for the high-welfare pig and poultry stakeholder consultation announced in the animal welfare strategy 2021-2025; the intended duration of this consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17058/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed to establishing and supporting a stakeholder consultation to explore the development of high-welfare outdoor-reared pig and poultry sectors.

The Department is currently developing plans for the consultative process with a view to full engagement later this year. No timeframe has been placed on the duration of the consultation.