Vol. 446 No. 7
8 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry arising from the recent exposure of badger baiting activities, if he is concerned at the parallel situation in relation to fox hunting where terriermen dig out the fox and the terriers drag the fox to be slaughtered by the hounds. [63/94]
115 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the measures, if any, he has to eliminate the kill from fox hunting arising from his commitment to a sensitive and caring approach to animal welfare and his efforts to eliminate the kill from hare coursing. [64/94]
143 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his views on the practice whereby foxes that have gone to earth are dug out of the ground with the aid of spades and terriers, in view of the fact that it entails ill-treatment of both foxes and terriers; and if he will consider outlawing the practice. [65/94]
144 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is legal, as well as common practice, for a hunt to block up all bolt-holes prior to the commencement of hunting for the purpose of preventing the fox from escaping when its lungs give out; and if he will consider outlawing this practice. [66/94]
145 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry in view of the claim that killing foxes is not the object of hunting and in view of his commitment to eliminate the kill from hare coursing, if he will consider providing for the muzzling of all fox hounds with a view to avoiding unnecessary suffering. [67/94]
146 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will examine the feasibility and desirability of amending existing legislation to facilitate the total substitution of drag-hunting for the cruel and unnecessary hunting of live foxes with hounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68/94]
147 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his views on the practice whereby foxes that have gone to earth are dug out of the ground with the aid of spades and terriers in view of the fact that it entails ill-treatment of both foxes and terriers; if he will outlaw the practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69/94]
148 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is legal, as well as common practice, for a hunt to block up all bolt-holes prior to the commencement of hunting for the purpose of preventing the fox from escaping when its lungs give out; if he will outlaw the practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70/94]
149 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry in view of the claim that killing foxes is not the object of hunting and in view of his commitment to eliminate the kill from hare coursing, if he will provide for the muzzling of all fox-hounds with a view to ending unnecessary suffering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71/94]
150 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will examine the feasibility and desirability of amending existing legislation to facilitate the total substitution of drag-hunting for the cruel and unnecessary hunting of live foxes with hounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72/94]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 115, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, and 150 together.
The Protection of Animals Acts, 1911 and 1965, govern the welfare of all animals, including foxes, and the Garda Síochána is responsible for the enforcement of that legislation. Anybody with information on acts of cruelty to foxes should not hesitate to contact the Garda.
The maximum fine for offences of cruelty under the Acts was recently doubled from £500 to £1,000 by regulations which were made following discussion in the House. The increased fine will act as a greater deterrent against illtreatment or abuse of animals.
I am having the issues raised in these questions examined in my Department and I hope to come to an early conclusion in the matter.
Does the Minister of State recollect that both he and the Minister gave a commitment to this House that they would not permit any unnecessary cruelty to animals to continue? Does he stand over and support the blooding of packs of young hounds with live fox cubs and accept that this activity is, apparently, extensive and deemed to be legal? Is he prepared to stand over the use of terriers to terrify and kill foxes who have been dug out of their refuges? Will he comment on whether that activity, which is deemed to be legal, is covered by the Protection of Animals Act to which he has referred? Is he concerned that Ireland's image is being increasingly tarnished by exposés in foreign television documentaries — another of which we will see tonight — of organised abuse of our wildlife in both legal and illegal activities? What does he intend to do to rectify this dreadful situation?
If the Deputy has evidence of the blooding of young terriers I ask him to pass it on to the Garda Síochána. The Deputy asked whether the Protection of Animals Acts, 1911 and 1965, apply to these activities but that has never been established in court and I am examining the powers under these Acts. The Wildlife Act, 1976, which does not reside in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, does not list the fox as a protected species. The relevant experts are examining this area. I want to get an overview of what is happening. Much of the information which is being provided to the Department is anecdotal and generalised and I want to get a clear picture of what is happening on the ground. The points raised by Deputy Gregory and others have been noted and the views of all Deputies will be taken into consideration. Following the process of consultation and having taken advice from the experts in my Department I hope to reach a conclusion at an early stage and will then take the action I deem appropriate.
The Minister of State's response is heartening. However, does he not accept that the blooding of fox-hounds with live fox cubs, the so called practice of cubbing, and the use of terriers and terrier men who dig out the fox when he goes to ground are part and parcel of fox hunting as practised in this country and that it is not up to a Member to present evidence to the Minister on what is an accepted practice? It is referred to indirectly in the constitution and powers of the Irish Master Fox-hounds Association when it refers to the use of terriers. This is an accepted practice but if the Minister feels it is in contravention of the Protection of Animals Act, as I do, the Garda should be instructed to ascertain what precisely goes on at the end of a fox hunt and action should be then taken on that basis rather than on information that I or anybody else provides.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is not an enforcement agency and the legal position as to where responsibility for this lies is not altogether clear, but in the context of animal welfare I am prepared to accept responsibility and deal with it.
I take the Deputy's points and I will consider them. One person may say that he knows of a hunt that has never killed a fox in 12 years but I must have the full picture of what is happening and it is only in that context I can reach a balanced decision that takes account of animal welfare as well as rural sports. I hope to reach a conclusion shortly. The points made by all Deputies have been noted.
Does the Minister support properly regulated field sports activities?
This is a democracy.
This is a question.
The Deputy has asked for my personal view. I will examine this matter in the context of the views put forward by various groups with an interest in this.
I noted the Minister's answer to Deputy Gregory and I wonder if he supports properly regulated field sports.
I believe that field sports are part of our rural heritage and certainly have a place. I must concern myself with unnecessary cruelty to animals and animal welfare. We talk about REPS in the context of the landscape but rural sports have been part of rural life for many years and have their place. They serve as pastimes for people in rural areas and in many cases they provide a source of income. I am not opposed to rural sports. What is necessary is balance, not extremes.
