Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 October 2023
184. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to clarify the methods used to kill badgers snared by Departmental operatives; what happens to the remains of the badgers; and what terms and conditions are attached to the licence issued by the NPWS which facilitates the killing. [44293/23]
View answerI would like to clarify that my Department does not use snares for the capture of badgers.
All badgers captured are caught using a stopped body restraint. Badgers that are dispatched, are done so in a humane manner, either by the use of a licensed firearm or by the administration of IV barbiturates by a Veterinary Inspector. All badger carcasses are sent to either the Irish Equine Centre or one of the regional veterinary laboratories for post mortem examination.
There are multiple terms and conditions attached to the licence issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The purpose of these is to ensure that:
• The NPWS are informed of numbers and locations of badgers captured
• That the conditions laid down in various wildlife acts, regulations and statutory instruments are adhered to
• That procedures are followed to mitigate any risks to humans or domestic animals
• That procedures are followed to ensure there is no unnecessary suffering or stress for any badgers captured
