Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
888. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he and his Department have conducted to address animal welfare concerns on Irish pig farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9604/26]
View answerThere is robust EU and Irish National legislation in place to protect the welfare of pigs. The legislation sets out detailed requirements on the housing, environmental conditions and management requirements for pigs that are kept for rearing or fattening. Officials from my Department carry out risk-based inspections on a selection of pig farms each year to check compliance with the legislation. Where non-compliances are identified, action is taken to address them.
My Department has also implemented specific actions to help improve the welfare of pigs which include:
• Over 1400 free Animal Welfare Risk Assessments have been carried out across approximately 400 pig farms to date with a view to improving pig welfare on farm.
• Significant grant aid funding is available to pig farmers under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3), to build new, high-welfare pig housing, to include much more space for pigs, more comfortable flooring and more feeding space.
• Specific measures have also been taken to promote a move away from the use of sow farrowing crates and stalls as grant aided housing also requires bigger and well-designed farrowing pens where sows can only be kept in a crate for a few days around farrowing, the rest of the time they must be loose in the pen with their piglets.
The European Commission has committed to reviewing all of the existing EU animal welfare legislation, including the legislation on pig welfare. Work on that review and impact assessment is still ongoing at EU level and my Department continues to support this review provided the legislative proposals are based on the latest science, with reasonable transition periods and that supports are made available to farmers.
My Department strongly condemns any cruelty or mistreatment of animals. It is the policy of the Department to investigate all allegations of illegal behaviour or abuse and to take appropriate enforcement action where appropriate. If members of the public are aware of any cases of suspected abuse or neglect, they can contact my Department's animal welfare helpline on:
Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379
Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
