Vol. 507 No. 3
132 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that deer farmers are unable to get their animals slaughtered at export licensed factories; and if he will allow deer to be slaughtered at domestic abattoirs in cases where the product is sold on the domestic market only. [16874/99]
There are five export slaughtering premises approved to slaughter deer of which one is at present in operation. This situation reflects an operating decision by factory management based on commercial considerations.
The existing legislation, the Abattoirs Act 1988, does not permit the slaughtering of deer at a domestic abattoir. In any event it would not be possible for an existing abattoir to kill deer without carrying out specific alterations. This would include the provision of suitable lairage facilities, a modified run and specially adapted stunning facilities.
