Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
907. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has examined the recommendations contained within the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 2026 to 2030 strategy regarding animal welfare reform; whether legislative or policy changes are under consideration arising from the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35268/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnimal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. My Department has lead policy responsibility within government for animal welfare and takes this matter most seriously. I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner and remain committed to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare. My Department keeps the Act under review in light of key developments in the areas of animal welfare, the law and having regard to the practical lessons learnt from operating the Act.
My Department is aware of the strategy launch, referred to by the Deputy.
In 2025, my Department initiated a process to develop a new animal welfare strategy, which will act as a framework for engagement and collaboration to direct future activities with the aim of benefiting both animals and Irish society. Development of the strategy is now well underway following broad stakeholder engagement including a non-statutory public consultation that was launched on November 19th and ran to January 2nd. In excess of 1750 individual submissions were received as part of that process, which are currently under analysis by my Department and will help inform the development of the new animal welfare strategy.
The new strategy will continue to adopt a ‘One Health, One Welfare’ approach, acknowledging and valuing the inter-dependencies between human, animal and environmental health, and taking an evidence-led approach to policy making, target-setting, monitoring and evaluation. I expect to launch the new welfare strategy later this year.
