Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 5

Written Answers. - Poultry Industry.

John Gormley

Question:

53 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 on 6 October 1998, it is the view of his Department that it would be uneconomic for intensive battery cage egg producers to meet the minimum welfare requirements as the provision of adequate space to birds held in captivity and, consequently, the imposition of animal welfare regulations on these operators by his Department would risk making Irish egg producers uncompetitive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22477/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

As I indicated in my reply to Questions Nos. 266 and 353 of 3 November, the current minimum requirements for the protection of laying hens kept in battery cages are set out in the Care and Welfare of Poultry (Laying Hens) Regulations, 1990.

I wish to see the highest possible welfare standards introduced for laying hens. Proposals have been put forward at EU level for new minimum standards for laying hens. In the negotiations on these proposals, I will be seeking an outcome which will ensure uniform arrangements across the Community, a reasonable lead-in period to allow for investment and that there is no discrimination against member states, including Ireland, which face increased production costs resulting from implementing higher welfare standards. I do not consider welfare improvements and economic production by battery-cage producers as being necessarily mutually exclusive.