Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
36. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to ensure that mink caged at fur farms have adequate access to water for both cooling down and drinking during seasonal weather with above average temperatures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31057/18]
View answerMy Department has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals under the European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations, 2010(Statutory Instrument No 311/2010) and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Irish fur farmers are subject to the same animal welfare legislation as any other livestock farmer. There are currently a total of three operators in Ireland licensed to keep mink.
As with all livestock areas within the Agri-sector the prolonged hot dry spell has presented challenges that are being alleviated by good stockmanship and planning.
My Department continue to remind all those responsible for animals that they must ensure an adequate supply of water is provided.
There has been an unannounced inspection carried out during this warm weather on one of the Irish farms and no welfare issues were raised. My Department will continue to carry out inspections both planned and unplanned on the facilities in question.
