Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Mar 1996

Vol. 462 No. 8

Written Answers. - Animal Welfare Matters.

Seán Haughey

Question:

259 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the research, if any, that has been carried out in Ireland to look for welfare-friendly alternative to close confinement systems for breeding sows; if Ireland has ever applied for EU funding to carry out such research; if so, if the application was successful; the plans, if any, he has to make any money available to do such research in view of the fact that tethering has entered a phaseout period and there is now pressure from animal welfarists for the ban to extend to stalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5726/96]

Seán Haughey

Question:

260 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of breeding sows in Ireland kept in various housing systems, namely in tethers, stalls, indoor group housing, other indoor housing, free-range outdoors and other outdoor systems; the plans, if any, he has to obtain this information; his views on whether this basic information is essential if assessment of different systems on welfare and other grounds is to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5727/96]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together.

The question of research into animal welfare is a matter for Teagasc, which keeps abreast of international developments in the matter. A study of group versus individual penning of sows was carried out by that body over ten years ago and published in Annales de Recherches Veterinaires (Vol. 15, p. 1881). At present a specific project relating to the effects of flooring materials on the health and welfare of sows and piglets is under research by Teagasc, with financial assistance from the EU Structural Fund. Furthermore, an officer of Teagasc is a member of the Animal Welfare Section of the EU Scientific Veterinary Committee which furnishes advice to the EU Commission on welfare matters. I have no plans to expand this level of activity in relation to welfare.

A breakdown of sow numbers on the lines requested is not readily available. Of the total population of 158,000 sows in the State, it is estimated that some 85 per cent are in tethered systems.