Background The Programme for Government 2020 includes a commitment to bring forward legislation that prohibits fur farming in the State. While fur farming was once legal and socially acceptable in most countries, there is now a broad consensus among veterinary and other scientific experts that certain animals should not be farmed for their fur or skin because of serious animal welfare concerns that cannot be […]
Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council In 2002, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries established the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC). The Council is made up of representatives of animal welfare organisations, farming bodies, veterinary representative bodies and Government Departments – North and South. The Early Warning/Intervention System for Animal Welfare Cases in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Irish […]
Protection of animals during transport EU Council Regulation No. 1 of 2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations prescribe strict standards for animal handling and the state of the vehicle and hygiene and, on long journeys, standards for feeding, watering, resting periods, journey times and stocking densities during transportation. The Regulation came into effect on 5 January 2007 and has been […]
General Duties The animal health and welfare legislation applies to both farm animals and domestic animals. This chapter focuses principally on domestic animals. However, some of the obligations also apply to farm animals. Some of the powers and obligations referable to farm animals set out in other chapters also apply to domestic animals. A protected animal is any animal kept for farm and recreational, domestic […]
Inspection A person who has in his or her possession or under his control a domestic or farm animal must take all necessary measures to ensure the animal is regularly inspected. In the case of an animal being kept in an intensive unit, this must be not less than once a day. The person must thoroughly inspect the animal’s condition and state of health and […]
Codes of Practice on Animal Welfare The Minister for Agriculture may establish or adopt a code of practice, (published by others), for the purpose of giving practical guidance on the legislation. A code of practice may amongst other things provide for care of animals, good governance and operation of persons concerned with animal welfare, cruelty prevention, provision of sanctuary for animals, biosecurity measures, breeding and […]