Animal Welfare Bill - Contact the Dept. of Agriculture

dublin | animal rights | news report Wednesday June 11, 2008 16:51 by Laura Broxson - National Animal Rights Association naracampaigns at gmail dot com PO Box 11019, Dublin 2

The Department of Agriculture is currently drafting legislation to update the Animal Welfare Bill, which will be brought to the Government for approval in the coming months.

Although the summary draft of the bill focuses primarily on aspects of farming, such as the control and eradication of animal diseases, and the slaughter and disposal of animals/animal by-products, it also seeks to update the Protection of Animals Act 1911 on cruelty-related offences. It will also include provisions to deal with inspections for specified animals and the conditions in which they are kept (for example, pet shops).

In their consultation paper (which you will find at: http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/index.jsp?file=areasofi/a...e.xml ), they state that ''the responsibility for the welfare of all animals (including non-farm animals) will be consolidated in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food". This means that we now have an opportunity to send in submissions, not only in relation to fur farming, but on other issues too - such as vivisection, circuses, greyhound racing and even horse carriages.

They are encouraging people to contribute to the ''decision making'' process, and state that "The Department is anxious that as wide a view as possible is canvassed and that the legislation is drafted in an informed manner, having regard to the respective submissions".

We will be sending in a number of official submissions, on various issues, on behalf of the group. But I can't stress enough how important it is for everyone to take the time to write in - the more they hear from us, the better our chances will be. Your letter(s) can be as short or as long and detailed as you like - what matters is that they receive as many submissions as possible.

You have until Friday 11th July 2008 (no submissions will be accepted after that date) and you can either post or email your submission.

Here are the contact details:

Mr. Peter Fallon
Animal Health & Welfare Bill Section,
4th Floor,
Agriculture House,
Kildare Street,
Dublin 2.

AHWBill@agriculture.gov.ie

Thank you,

Laura Broxson
National Animal Rights Association