I propose to take Questions Nos. 2654, 2655, 2687, 2709, 2710 and 2712 together.
My Department has lead policy has lead policy responsibility for animal welfare and takes the matter of animal welfare most seriously. The Programme for Government places a positive emphasis on animal welfare and specifically commits to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. The act provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare.
I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner. It is not possible to comment on the specific operation to which the Deputy refers, however I can comment on general procedures.
Every herd owner has obligations and responsibilities under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 and other relevant welfare legislation and must ensure that the animals in their possession or under their control are kept and treated in a manner that safeguards and does not threaten their health and welfare.
The seizure of animals from their establishment of origin is undertaken as a last resort and my preference is to proactively engage with herd owners to try and resolve welfare related non-compliance matters in a voluntary manner or failing that, through the issuing of legal notices or formal direction.
However, whenever it is necessary to remove animals from their establishment of origin to safeguard their welfare or as part of animal health control measures, these incidents are managed by my Department in line with governing legislation with full regard to animal welfare.
Where animals are seized and detained on farm by my Department, a veterinary assessment is carried out to determine each individual animals’ fitness to transport. Animals which are severely welfare compromised and deemed to be unfit for transport are humanely euthanised on-site in line with the relevant legislative provisions. My Department also carries out an assessments on their suitability to enter the food chain. Animals that are deemed fit are safely loaded on site and removed.
The person or persons carrying out the euthanasia varies depending on the individual situation. However, in all cases, it is carried out in line with the relevant legislative provisions
There is EU and Irish legislation in place for the protection of animals at the time of killing. The legislation sets out animal welfare requirements for killing animals in all situations including where animals need to be humanely euthanised on farm for welfare or other reasons. The legislation specifies, for example, the permitted killing methods that can be used for different animal species and categories. The legislation also provides that persons carrying out the killing must have the appropriate level of competence to ensure that animals are not caused any avoidable pain, distress or suffering.
All such operations are carefully planned and risk assessed on a case-specific basis. These operations are carried out in accordance with established Department processes. These processes, which are dynamic by necessity, are constantly subject to ongoing review and are informed and evolve based on operational experience.
