Vol. 537 No. 1
96 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his Department carries out regular inspections of pig and poultry units to ensure that the rearing conditions of the pigs and poultry comply with the five freedoms that should be enjoyed in accordance with the principles of animal and bird welfare; and if not, the reason therefor. [15464/01]
Inspections of pig and poultry holdings are carried out generally in accordance with the European Communities (Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes) Regulations, 2000 (S.I. No. 127 of 2000), which I have 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. Inspections of poultry plants can arise from information on the flock inspection forms. Apart from this, veterinary inspectors of my Department regularly visit pig and poultry holdings as part of their normal duties.
