Vol. 412 No. 6
102 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will consider the phasing out of sow tethers and stalls, as is now the case in Britain, in view of the decisions taken by the EC Council of Agriculture Ministers in October, 1991 and if he will make a statement on the matter.
110 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the steps that are taken by his Department to ensure that pigs produced in intensive units are not subject to cruel treatment; if such units constitute a health or pollution risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 110 together.
The welfare of animals kept for farming purposes, including pigs kept in intensive units, is covered by the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act, 1984. The EC Council of Ministers recently adopted a new Directive laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs kept in intensive farming systems. The Directive provides, among other things, for a ban on the tethering of sows in new farming systems built or newly commissioned after 31 December 1994 and for the phasing out of the tethering of sows in all systems after 31 December 2004. I propose to adhere to this time schedule.
Intensive pig units do not constitute a health or pollution risk when properly operated.
