Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2012
505. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which pig and poultry farmers have managed to comply with regulations arising from animal welfare legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56253/12]
View answer506. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of farmers who may not be in a position to comply with the 1 January 2013 deadline in respect of animal welfare regulations for whatever reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56254/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 505 and 506 together.
Council Directive 2008/120/EC lays down minimum standards for the protection of pigs and enters into force on the 1 January 2013. My Department’s Veterinary Inspectors have been monitoring the situation on farms over recent months and the most recent survey carried out indicates 66% compliance level in terms of sow units. A further 16% of farmers have indicated that they will take measures to ensure compliance by 1 January 2013. It should be noted that Department Inspectors are continuing to liaise with sow producers to ensure compliance. I should add that, under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme, an attractive grant aid system is in place to assist pig farmers to meet their objectives under this legislation.
Council Directive 1999/74/EC lays down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens and outlines, in particular, provisions applicable to un-enriched and enriched cage systems and alternative (non-cage) systems. The Directive provides that the rearing of laying hens in un-enriched cage systems be prohibited with effect from 1 January 2012. Officials from my Department engaged closely with all laying hen producers to ensure this requirement was met and I am satisfied that all producers are 100% compliant.
Council Directive 2007/43/EC lays down minimum rules for the protection of chickens kept for meat production. My Department has an ongoing programme of on-farm welfare inspections in place, including in relation to broiler farmers. Inspections carried out to date on these farms have identified areas that could be addressed and Department officials are working with the industry to ensure compliance with all aspects of the Directive. A series of Training Courses has been provided in recent weeks for broiler farmers to assist them with the implementation of the Directive.
