Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
919. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to report on measures he will take to ensure that all marts are fully compliant with animal welfare regulations and standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36019/23]
View answerIn order to operate a livestock mart, a licence granted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) following application by the operator must be in place, in accordance with the Animal Health and Welfare (Livestock Marts) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 128 of 2018). Marts must be operated in accordance with the Animal Health and Welfare Act of 2013 (No. 15 of 2013). The granting of a licence to operate a livestock mart is granted to a mart only after satisfactory outcome of inspection by authorised officers of my Department.
Authorised officers of my Department carry out risk-based inspections at marts to determine compliance with legislative requirements related to animal health and welfare and the correct recording of animal movements. Marts who have been seen to be non-compliant in one or more areas, are required to take corrective action and will be subjected to further inspections. While a licence to operate a livestock mart is generally granted for a term of three years, where breaches of the mart regulations are identified, my Department may take enforcement action which can include attaching specific conditions to the licence, issuing of a shorter term licence of three months to one year duration, or suspension or revocation of the mart’s licence to operate.
Separately, persons who are in control/charge of or handling animals, at marts as elsewhere, are required to ensure the welfare of animals and if found deficient in this regard may be subject to sanction, up to and including prosecution, as appropriate.
My Department will continue its commitment to regular ongoing inspections to ensure that animal welfare standards are in accordance with legislative requirements.
