Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 January 2012
733 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any guarantees have been made to fur farmers; if submissions for the fur farming review are still being considered and if a ban on fur farming will be implemented in the Bill as both Fine Gael and Labour have voted to ban fur farming in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41442/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI established a Review Group in my Department last November 2011 to review all aspects of fur farming. The Terms of Reference of the Group are:
1. To review fur farming in Ireland taking into account existing legislative provisions for the licensing of mink farming,
2. To comment on the economic benefits of the sector,
3. To consider the effectiveness of existing welfare controls, and
4. To make appropriate recommendations.
Submissions were invited on the review with a closing date for receipt of submissions of 31st December 2011. A large number of submissions have now been received from interested parties and these are currently being examined by the Review Group. The Group will submit its report to me by the end of January and I will consider what action, if any, to take following the submission and conclusions of the Group's findings.
734 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all mink and fox skins are exported or if some are sold here. [41443/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not collect this information. Fur Farming is a commercial activity and fur farmers may sell their product in a manner of their own choosing. The Deputy may wish to consult Trade Statistics data produced by the Central Statistics Office with a view to establishing the volume of goods exported.
