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Animal Welfare.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Questions (57)

Finian McGrath

Question:

238 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if fur farming here will be banned in response to the 64% of citizens who want an end to this stress on mink, fox and rabbits; and if he will report on the issue. [21815/04]

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Written answers

Fur farming is a legitimate farming activity here. Under the Musk Rats Act, 1933 (Application to Mink) Order 1965, the keeping of mink is prohibited except under licence from the Department of Agriculture and Food. Licences are issued under this legislation only if the applicant, following an inspection, is found to be compliant with a number of key conditions.

Licensed fur farms are also inspected 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 to date 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 considered to be a legitimate farming activity throughout the greater majority of member states of the European Union.

Given that the licensed fur farms operating in this country meet current national and EU requirements there is no reason why what is after all a legitimate farming activity, which is permitted in the greater majority of EU member states, should be banned.

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