Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 2

Written Answers. - Poultry Industry.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

75 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress being made to bring about a more humane environment for poultry production, especially in persuading the Council of Ministers to enact a strong directive putting an end to severe overcrowding in broiler sheds, the use of fast growing breeds with their associated leg and heart problems and feeding regimes that cause severe hunger in the breeding flock; and the timeframe for the implementation of these reforms. [29333/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Since the beginning of the year a number of meetings of an EU Commission working group on broiler welfare legislation have taken place with a view to formulating proposals. My Department was represented at the meetings. The Commission will formulate a document in due course and it will be presented to the Council of Agriculture Ministers. Ireland's perspective will be brought to bear at official and political levels as the matter progresses. I have always been supportive of measures that will improve the welfare of animals.