Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal West, Sinn Fein)
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783. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that can be taken to prevent residents in a domestic dwelling slaughtering animals in their front garden; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17437/25]

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal West, Sinn Fein)
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784. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will list the penalties that can be applied to persons who engage in the unlicensed slaughter of animals in domestic dwellings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17438/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 783 and 784 together.

There is EU and National legislation in place to protect the welfare of animals during slaughter for human consumption. The legislation is clear that animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs must be spared any avoidable pain or suffering during the slaughtering process and that they must only slaughtered by persons who are properly competent to do so. The legislation also specifies the approved methods that can be used to slaughter different species of animals. If someone does not comply with these various requirements they have committed an offence under this legislation. Any reports of animals being slaughtered in a way that might compromise their welfare or be non-compliant with the regulations will be fully investigated by my Department.

There is no specific Animal Welfare or Food Safety regulations that prohibit the slaughter and processing of food animals at a private dwelling. A person who engages in home slaughter may do so without registration or approval provided that the resulting food is used only for private domestic consumption and may not be supplied/sold to any third party.

My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation. The dedicated e-mail address and helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are:

Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379.

Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.