Written answers

Tuesday, 15 February 2022

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Fur Farming

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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955. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagements he has had with mink farmers since the Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 passed Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann; the progress, agreements and undertakings given to mink farmers regarding staff redundancy and reskilling since then; if agreements or undertakings regarding compensation for farmers or the demolition cost of farms as to if an environmental assessment of the area will be completed prior to demolition; if his Department will agree with stakeholders to discuss a related report completed by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7917/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 that is currently going through the legislative process, will provide for the statutory prohibition of fur farming.  

The legislation provides that these businesses are paid for income losses, non-income losses and costs incurred as a direct result of the ban. 

The regulations being prepared at the moment will specify and set out the framework for the income and non-income compensation and provide the basis of valuation.  They will also provide detail on compensation for costs involved in disposing of breeding mink, demolition and clean-up costs, payments to redundant workers, and professional fees for professionals used in the process.

Regarding environmental surveys it is envisaged that the costs for carrying out such will be covered in the compensation package.  

I am still considering the statutory redundancy provisions and will revert to the farmers when this decision is made. 

The Grant Thornton Report is only one document informing a process that is ongoing to prepare these  regulations.A copy of the draft regulations containing this detail will be made available to the farmers and their representatives in the near future.  

The committee stage in the Dail was on 15th December 2021.  Since then my officials have been communicating with the farmers and their representatives by EMail and I have attended a meeting with the farmers virtually on 26th January.

It is my intention to ensure that the ban on Mink Farming is progressed in a fair and equitable manner with consideration being given to the concerns of all parties involved. I know this is a considerable change for the farmers and I want to ensure they are treated fairly.

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