Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 April 2024
119. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if mink farmers received compensation for the closure of mink farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15584/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government 2020 includes a commitment to bring forward legislation that prohibits fur farming in the State. The Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Number 4 of 2022) was enacted by the Oireachtas in April 2022. The Act makes provision, inter alia, for the prohibition on fur farming and the compensation of licensees under the Musk Rat Act 1933. There were three licensed farms in the State that previously bred and reared mink for the purposes of pelting for the fur industry. Statutory Instrument (SI) 650 Animal Health and Welfare (Fur Farming Compensation Scheme) Regulations 2022 makes provision for the compensation of those mink farm businesses affected by the prohibition. The assessor was appointed to determine compensation amounts in December 2022 and the work of the assessor is on-going in 2024. The compensation includes payments for income losses, non-income losses and costs incurred as a direct result of the ban. In 2023, approximately €2 million was paid to businesses in respect of the compensation scheme.
