Pigmeat Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024

Tuesday, 9 April 2024

Ceisteanna (1022)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

1022. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1065 of 20 March 2024, the reason, in relation to the pig and poultry investment scheme, the provision of optimal enrichment is not mentioned as one of the improvements, as that is the biggest risk factor for tail biting (aside from the existence of a tail); and how he plans on monitoring that the specifications for pig housing under the scheme have been met. [14925/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In relation to the design of pig housing, enrichment is an integral part of my Department’s specification S.141, which relates to the minimum specification for new pig houses, with Appendix 1 of this specification setting out the detailed requirements for enrichment in new pig housing.  

All building plans submitted as part of a TAMS 3 application are reviewed to ensure that the proposed structure can be completed in accordance with the specification, before the works are approved.  At payment stage applications are subject to inspections to confirm that the buildings have been completed in accordance with the relevant specifications before payment of grant-aid.  For TAMS 3, applicants are also required to submit geo-tagged photographs of the completed investments.