Vol. 530 No. 5
6 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the provisions in force to inspect the housing of pigs kept in intensive breeding and fattening units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4131/01]
Inspections of pig holdings are carried out generally in accordance with the European Communities (Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes) Regulations, 2000 – SI 127 of 2000 – which I introduced in order to give effect in national law to the provisions of Council Directive 98/58/EC laying down minimum standards for the protection of animals bred or kept for farming purposes, and specifically in accordance with Commission Decision 2000/50/EC dealing with minimum requirements for the inspection of holdings on which animals are kept for farming purposes. A representative sample of pig holdings is inspected annually by officials of my Department and their findings are communicated to the European Commission. Apart from this, veterinary inspectors of my Department regularly visit pig holdings as part of their normal duties.
How many inspectors are in the field and how many inspections are carried out annually?
I do not have the exact number of inspections to hand.
How many inspectors are there?
There are quite a number of veterinary inspectors who inspect farms on a county area basis.
Does the Minister have an exact number?
I understand there are in the region of 40 veterinary officers.
I am glad to see the Minister of State answering this question as some guidance must be given on who is responsible for farm inspections. Is this an independent or politically led function? Does the Minister or either of the Ministers of State have a role in advising inspectors, be they from the Department or the EPA, on when farms should be inspected and by whom those inspections should be carried out?
I favour annual inspections and regular spot checks. The Department is very welfare conscious and its veterinary officers play an important role in this regard. The poultry, calf and pigmeat sectors are being examined in the context of the overall European situation. I expect a directive on inspections to be issued from Europe later this year or early next year.
Have there been any prosecutions in this area in recent years?
I am not aware of any but the Deputy will be aware that there have been prosecutions outside the welfare area throughout the country where animals have suffered hardship due to poor diet, bad management, etc.
