Mary Upton
Question:10 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her view on requiring the reporting of the severity of animal procedures retrospectively here. [40555/06]
View answerWednesday, 29 November 2006
Questions (10)
Oral answers (3 contributions)
I understand that this question relates to scientific experiments on laboratory animals. My Department has no statutory responsibility for this area. The protection of animals used for experimental or other scientific purposes is regulated under EU and national legislation. Statutory responsibility for this legislation falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children.
The only involvement my Department has had in this area is that, in the past, current and recently retired members of the Department's veterinary staff carried out inspection visits on behalf of the Department of Health and Children.
I thank the Minister for responding to this question and I raise it in the wider context of animal welfare. My problem regarding all questions relating to animal welfare is that they are passed from one Department to another. When I asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government about the issue of feral cats, a real problem in suburban areas, he responded that it was not an important matter and it fell off the end of the list. These are genuine animal welfare queries that must relate to some Department in which there is a person with overall responsibility.
The last year for which we have data is 2002 when 41,000 animals were used in experiments in Ireland without anaesthetics and account must be taken of this. It may be that this represents best practice in the area, but we must examine how such issues can be addressed. Procedures are in place for testing and measuring the severity of adverse effects and I wonder why we do not take a more proactive stance.
My statutory responsibility is for the protection of farmed animals under the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984 and the EU regulation of 2000. The national legislation for experimental or scientific purposes is related respectively under a Council directive and the European Communities Amendment of Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 Regulations 1994. This is the statutory responsibility of the Department of Health and Children.
The Deputy is correct that the issues involved cut across more than one Department. My Department is responsible for many minor animal welfare schemes and we give considerable grant aid to the care of pets. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government oversees dog shelters and so on. The overall issue of cruelty to animals crosses all of these Departments, but I am only responsible for the welfare of farmed animals. There is an animal welfare group covering all animals.
The issue the Deputy has raised is totally unacceptable as standards have been set under the Cruelty to Animals Act and they must be adhered to. If the Deputy wishes to raise the matter with the Minister for Health and Children I am sure she will be happy to deal with it and I will also mention it on the Deputy's behalf.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.