John Ellis
Ceist:62 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the advisory forum on animal welfare will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9117/01]
Written Answers. - Animal Welfare Advisory Forum.
Up to the onset of the current foot and mouth disease – FMD – crisis, arrangements were well advanced for the establishment of the forum in question. The demands imposed by the crisis on staff in my Department and in particular on those involved in the animal health and welfare area and the necessary deployment of available resources to deal with a wide range of issues relating to FMD have interrupted this work. Subject to the exigencies of the crisis, I intend to resume the arrangements for the establishment of the forum at the first opportunity.