Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 January 2012
391 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the commitment to strengthen legislation on animal welfare and cruelty includes plans to legislate to ban fur farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2028/12]
View answerI established a Review Group in my Department in November 2011 to review the issue of fur farming. The Terms of Reference of the Group are as follows:
1. To review fur farming in Ireland taking into account existing legislative provisions for the licensing of mink farming,
2. To comment on the economic benefits of the sector,
3. To consider the effectiveness of existing welfare controls, and
4. To make appropriate recommendations.
Submissions were invited on the review with a closing date for receipt of submissions of 31st December 2011. A large number of submissions have now been received from interested parties and these are currently being examined by the Review Group. I will consider what action, if any, to take following the submission and conclusions of the Group's findings.
