Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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1564. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give an up-date on the closure of mink farms in the country; if he can confirm that all mink have been euthanised; the date by which this was achieved; the reason for the delay in paying compensation arising from this; and if he will make a comprehensive statement on the matter including the overall cost envisaged to the State. [13223/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022, provides for the statutory prohibition of fur farming. The commencement order was dated the 9th December 2022 and it has been confirmed that there are no live mink on any of the concerned premises. I appointed an assessor on the 6th December 2022 to administer the compensation scheme in respect of the closure of the businesses. To date, applications have been received from two of the three businesses affected by the ban on mink farming. The assessor is currently examining these applications and is expected to make a decision shortly in respect of certain compensation headings (e.g. loss of income). The compensation amounts under other headings (e.g. demolition) will take more time for farmers to carry out the work and submit applications in accordance with the compensation scheme. The overall cost of compensation package is not available at this time.