Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Apr 1996

Vol. 463 No. 8

Written Answers. - Slaughter of Animals.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

172 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to introduce a legal requirement that all farm animals be properly stunned before slaughter as recommended by the Farm Animal Welfare Council in the United Kingdom taking into account the proper need to respect freedom of religious expressions but having particular regard to the overriding moral responsibility to reduce to a minimum animal suffering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7530/96]

I have made regulations — the European Communities (Protection of Animals at Time of Slaughter) Regulations, 1995 — on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing, including those slaughtered in accordance with certain religious rites. These regulations give effect to Council Directive 93/119/EC, which prescribes harmonised standards throughout the EU for the treatment of animals prior to death and for humane methods of slaughtering in order to ensure that animals are spared avoidable pain and suffering.

Top
Share