Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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554. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and location of rabbit meat farms currently operating in Ireland; the relevant legislation in the area including in relation to slaughtering methods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31460/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has not approved any establishments for the slaughter of rabbits.

The direct supply by the producer, of small quantities of meat from lagomorphs (rabbits) slaughtered on the farm to the final consumer or to local retail establishments directly supplying such meat to the final consumer are bound by the hygiene provisions of Regulation (EC) 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs and is exempted from the provisions of Regulation (EC) 853/2004.

The slaughter methods permitted for each species, including rabbits are laid down in Annex I of Council Regulation (EC) 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing.