Clare Daly
Question:1062. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the digging out of foxes. [17427/13]
View answerTuesday, 16 April 2013
Questions (1062, 1068, 1076)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:1068. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the reported growth of terriermen traffic between the UK and Ireland as stated in correspondence (details supplied); the actions that he intends taking in response to this letter; if he will cease the exchange of terriorwork between the two countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17490/13]
View answer
Ann Phelan
Question:1076. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a consultation process on the Animal Welfare Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17710/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1062, 1068 and 1076 together.
There has been a considerable consultation with many parties on the Animal Health and Welfare Bill. Provisions on the prohibition of animal cruelty are set out at Section 12 of the Bill. Section 25 of the Bill provides for the adoption of Codes of Practice for the purposes of providing practical guidance relating to any of the purposes of the Act. Sub-section 25(7) states that a failure to observe a code of practice (where there was a code of practice in effect at the time of the commission of an offence) is admissible in evidence before a court. The Bill provides for a consultation process in advance of codes being adopted and it is my intention to ensure that codes when adopted will be kept under review.
With regard to the movement of terriers between Ireland and the UK, trade in live animals is regulated under EU legislation and it is not open to me to prohibit this trade as long as these regulations are complied with.