Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 April 2004
200 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has plans to tighten up animal welfare laws in view of the recent serious cases of abuse revealed by a television programme (details supplied) and by ISPCA; and the nature of the protections under existing law with regard to deer hunting, dog farming and fur farming. [10717/04]
View answerI attach considerable importance to animal welfare issues and have taken several recent initiatives in this area, including establishing the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council, with a view to promoting and sustaining good practice and compliance with all of the relevant standards, whether on-farm, during transport or at time of slaughter. FAWAC is chaired by an independent chairman and includes representation from farming bodies, animal welfare organisations, livestock exporters, the veterinary profession, Teagasc and the agriculture Departments in Dublin and Belfast.
FAWAC has already identified a number of areas that it feels are worthy of particular attention and made such issues part of its initial work programme. I am aware that some of the issues raised by the Deputy have been raised at FAWAC and are likely to be the subject of views or recommendations conveyed to me by that body. I will carefully consider any views that FAWAC may wish to offer on animal health and welfare issues and how concerns might be best addressed, while recognising that my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has particular statutory responsibilities for deer hunting and puppy farming, under the provisions of the Wildlife Act 1976 and the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992. I have also established a scientific advisory committee on animal health and welfare, which is independently chaired and includes among its membership persons of particular expertise and scientific distinction. This Committee is available to advise me of the scientific dimensions of animal health or welfare. It is also available to assist FAWAC where required.
I do have statutory responsibility for fur farming, which is regulated for animal welfare purposes by the provisions of the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984 and by the European Communities (Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes) Regulations 2000 which transpose the provisions of EU Directive 98/58/EC. My Department inspects licensed fur farms under this legislation and under the European Communities (Protection of Animals at Time of Slaughter) Regulations 1995. In addition the Council of Europe recommendations concerning fur animals apply.
The Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965, which are the principal statutes governing cruelty to animals in Ireland are enforced by the Garda, who may, on receipt of a complaint, investigate and bring a prosecution against any person alleged to have committed an act of cruelty against an animal in this country. The penalties for cruelty under the 1911 Act were increased significantly by the Control of Horses Act 1996.
Finally, I have for several years past provided end-year grants from available resources to animal welfare organisations throughout the country to help them in the work of providing direct care and welfare services to animals. In December 2003 I announced grants totalling €850,000 to 80 organisations to help their efforts during 2004. This package encompassed organisations in every county in the country and brought to almost €3.8 million the total amount of assistance made available to date to such organisations by my Department.
