Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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142. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale for continuing to permit the slaughter of animals without pre-stunning for religious markets, given that other EU Member States have prohibited this practice on animal welfare grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52203/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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There is EU and Irish legislation in place for the protection of animals at the time of slaughter. The relevant EU legislation is Regulation No. 1099 of 2009 on the Protection of Animals at the Time of Killing and the Irish legislation is S.I. 292 of 2013, as amended. The legislation requires animals to be stunned (rendered unconscious) before they are slaughtered. However, slaughter of animals without prior stunning, as prescribed by religious rites, is also permitted under the legislation under derogation and it is carried out here in a very limited number of slaughter plants in Ireland.

While a limited number of Member States of the EU have banned slaughter without pre-stunning, there is no EU-wide move to do this and therefore the majority of Member States have not banned this method of slaughter.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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143. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of cattle and sheep slaughtered without pre-stunning in Ireland in each of the past five years; and if he will indicate the percentage of overall cattle and sheep slaughter that the figures represent. [52204/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The information requested is not readily available and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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144. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being taken to ensure that meat originating from animals slaughtered without pre-stunning is clearly labelled at retail and catering level, in order that consumers can make an informed choice. [52205/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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EU labelling regulations do not require meat labels to indicate the method of slaughter. There are no current moves in the EU or in Ireland to change this position.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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145. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department collects data on whether meat from animals slaughtered without pre-stunning is destined for domestic consumption or for export markets; and if not, the reason such data is not collected. [52206/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department does not collect data on the market destination of meat from animals slaughtered without pre-stunning. There is no EU regulatory requirement to collect such data.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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146. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific inspection regime applied by his Department to abattoirs conducting slaughter without pre-stunning, including the presence of veterinary inspectors during operations; and if he will provide data on compliance or breaches recorded in the past five years. [52207/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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There is EU and Irish legislation in place for the protection of animals at the time of slaughter. The relevant EU legislation is Regulation No. 1099 of 2009 on the Protection of Animals at the Time of Killing and the Irish legislation is S.I. 292 of 2013, as amended. The legislation requires animals to be stunned (rendered unconscious) before they are slaughtered. However, slaughter of animals without prior stunning, as prescribed by religious rites, is also permitted under the legislation under derogation and it is carried out here in a very limited number of slaughter plants. My Department is responsible for implementation and enforcement of this legislation.

The inspection regime applied by my Department to the small number of abattoirs conducting slaughter without pre-stunning is similar to other abattoirs, and meets my Department’s responsibility under EU Regulation No.1099 of 2009 on the Protection of Animals at the Time of Killing and Irish legislation S.I. 292 of 2013, as amended. There is a permanent presence of veterinary inspectors at abattoirs conducting slaughter without pre-stunning. Official Controls are continuously applied via ongoing checks, audits and ongoing monitoring of operations in the slaughter plant. Of 5 Compliance Notices issued under S.I 292 of 2013 (Welfare at Slaughter) for years 2020 to 2024 inclusive, 2 Compliance Notices related to Non-Stun Slaughter.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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147. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will commission a review of the policy permitting slaughter without pre-stunning, in view of EU developments, animal welfare considerations and public concern; and if he will report the findings. [52208/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Currently there is EU and Irish legislation in place for the protection of animals at the time of slaughter. The legislation requires animals to be stunned before they are slaughtered. However, slaughter of animals without prior stunning, as prescribed by religious rites, is also permitted under the EU legislation, under derogation. My Department is responsible for implementation of the above legislation and animal welfare legislation generally. Policy on all animal welfare issues is subject to periodic review particularly in light of new information on the topic or developments at EU level and on foot of such a review policy changes may be implemented if deemed appropriate.