Billy Timmins
Question:118 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the situation with regard to fur farming here; the Government's policy in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29385/03]
Written Answers. - Fur Farming.
Fur farming is a legitimate farming activity in this country. Under the Musk Rats Act 1933 (Application to Mink) Order 1965, the keeping of mink is prohibited except under licence from my Department. Licences are issued under this legislation only if the applicant, following an inspection carried out by officials from my Department, is found to be compliant with a number of key conditions.
Licensed fur farms are also inspected by my Department to assess compliance with the Council of Europe recommendations concerning fur animals and Council Directive 98/58/EC concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes. These inspections have found that the licensed fur farms have been operating in compliance with current legislation. Inspections have also found that the slaughter methods employed by the licensed fur farms are permitted under the Sixth Schedule of the European Communities (Protection of Animals at Time of Slaughter) Regulations, 1995.
Fur farming is permitted in all other member states of the EU, with the exception of the United Kingdom and Austria. I have no plans to ban fur farming in Ireland. My Department will continue to keep in close contact with the fur industry and to monitor the operation of the licensed fur farms.