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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Dec 2002

Vol. 559 No. 2

Written Answers. - Animal Protection.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

99 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he accepts it is inhumane and unethical to rear essentially wild animals in small barren cages in order to electrocute them for the purpose of producing a non-essential fashion item, and accordingly the practice of fur farming here. [25948/02]

Under the Musk Rats Act, 1933 (Application to Mink) Order, 1965 the keeping of mink is prohibited except under licence from my Department. The issue or annual renewal of a licence to operate a mink farm is contingent on the enterprise complying with a number of key conditions. An annual compliance inspection of each of the mink farms currently licensed in Ireland is carried out to ensure that relevant standards are maintained.

Foxes are humanely killed by electrocution or lethal injection prior to pelt removal. Mink are humanely killed by inhalation of carbon monoxide gas prior to pelt removal. Both procedures are allowed under Schedule 6 of the EC (Protection of Animals at time of Slaughter) Regulations, 1965, S.I. No. 114 of 1995, and under the Council of Europe recommendation concerning fur animals. My Department will continue to closely monitor the operation of the licensed mink farms.

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