Vol. 536 No. 4
112 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his attention has been drawn to the estimates that 7% of broiler chickens die each year in broiler sheds in Britain; if he has equivalent figures for Ireland; and if he considers such a high death rate to be consistent with appropriate animal welfare conditions. [14497/01]
Deaths among broiler chickens in Ireland fall significantly below the 7% figure referred to by the Deputy as being the estimated mortality rate in the UK. Ireland, typically, has a mortality rate of broiler chickens of 1% to 3% over the production period. A producer is obliged by law to furnish the Department's veterinary inspector with a flock inspection form prior to dispatch of a consignment to the poultry plant. Mortality rates for that consignment are included on the form. If the Department's veterinary inspector feels the mortality rate is higher than expected an investigation is instigated.
