Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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277. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if mink farmers received compensation for the closure of mink farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47717/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022, will provide for the statutory prohibition of fur farming.

The legislation provides that these businesses are paid compensation for income losses, non-income losses and costs incurred as a direct result of the ban. I have consulted with the farm businesses as to the loss categories that should be included in the Bill.

The compensation 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, a training fund redundant workers, and professional fees incurred by the businesses.

Compensation payments will be made in due course following closely and detailed communication with the mink farmers.