Tony Gregory
Ceist:341 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the action, if any, he is taking regarding reports of cruelty at a company (details supplied) in County Kildare. [12840/95]
Written Answers. - Cruelty Report.
The abattoir at Straffan — the only horse slaughtering plant in Irland — is registered in the Register of Horse Slaughtering Premises under the Agricultural Produce (Fresh Meat) Act, 1930 and holds an export licence. Following complaints last year about conditions at the abattoir, an immediate investigation was launched by my Department and corrective measures were taken where deficiencies were found. The level of veterinary inspections, including unannounced visits, was significantly increased, additional covered lairage space was provided within the perimeter of the abattoir and the use of areas outside the perimeter for the holding of animals awaiting slaughter was prohibited.
Furthermore, veterinary staff have been instructed to put down in a humane manner any distressed animals found in the course of visits or inspections. The veterinary inspectors who carry out the supervision of the abattoir, as in the case of other veterinary personnel of my Department working within the meat industry, are acting under very strict guidelines for the enforcement of animal welfare regulations.
I am concerned, as is the abattoir management, by the practice of abandoning animals in distressed or injured condition at the entrance to the abattoir or on the adjoining lands. This is done by the owners in order to avoid having to pay a veterinary surgeon to destroy the animals and then dispose of the carcases. Though only a very small number of animals are treated in this way, I find such behaviour utterly reprehensible and I shall not hesitate to call for prosecution on grounds of cruelty if the owners can be traced.