Vol. 433 No. 1
188 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to ensure, by means such as ministerial order, that deer velveting does not take place until after the results of investigations are published and considered.
As indicated in the House on 6 April, I am currently conducting an examination of the question of deer velveting. I am awaiting the results of the examination before taking a decision in the matter.
189 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the laws and regulations that govern the farming of deer in Ireland; and the laws or regulations, if any, that are currently in preparation in regard to farmed deer.
The sale, purchase and possession of deer in wild or farmed form is regulated under section 45 of the Wildlife Act, 1976. Operators engaged in the sale of farmed deer must have a wildlife dealer's licence in accordance with the Wildlife Act 1976 (Wildlife Dealing) Regulations, 1977.
European Community legislation (Council Directive 91/495/EEC) concerning public health and animal health problems affecting the production and placing on the market of rabbit meat and farmed game meat was adopted on 27 November 1990, to take effect in all member states from 1 January 1993. It is expected that the appropriate implementing legislation for Ireland will come into effect from 1 September 1993.
