Vol. 455 No. 3
39 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health the regulations, if any, that exist to monitor the condition of captive animals kept for experimental purposes in institutions and universities after a licence has been issued; and the number of animals that are currently held in universities and research facilities. [12025/95]
Limerick East): The protection of animals used for experimental and scientific purposes is regulated by the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, as amended to take account of Directive 80/609/EEC.
Persons who wish to engage in experiments on living animals must be licensed by the Minister for Health. Applicants must submit a detailed application form which is scrutinised by inspectors appointed by the Minister. The purpose of these controls is to ensure as far as possible that no pain, suffering, distress or harm are inflicted unnecessarily on the animals and where unavoidable are kept to a minimum.
The Act provides that as far as the general care and accommodation of experimental animals is concerned a named competent person in each establishment is entrusted with the task of administering or arranging for the administration of appropriate care to the animals kept in the establishment. All animals must be provided with appropriate housing and environment, some freedom of movement, food, water and care appropriate to their health and well-being. The environmental conditions in which animals are kept or used must be checked daily and adequate arrangements made for the provision of veterinary advice and treatment.
Periodic inspections are carried out by veterinary officers attached to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to ensure compliance with the Act. Details of the numbers of animals at present kept in universities and research facilities are not readily available.
