Pet Farms

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2014

Tuesday, 21 October 2014

Ceisteanna (279)

Patrick O'Donovan

Ceist:

279. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the procedures for registration of pet farms which are open to the public that would include species of animals and wildlife that are not native; if he will provide details of the inspection procedures; the agency responsible for the registration; the compliance requirements that operators must adhere to and any other information that he deems necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39983/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Deputy will be aware that anyone who keeps farmed animals (cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry) or equines must register their premises with my Department. In addition, under the Balai Directive 92/65/EEC, premises which trade exotic animals must be approved by my Department and are subject to an annual animal health audit. I am finalising legislation to require that farms on which farmed animals are kept for display purposes be registered separately with my Department. As part of this process, an inventory of non-farmed animals kept for display will also be required.