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
Comments (1 of 1)
Jump To Comment: 1I have a small cat sanctuary at Beagh, Askeaton, Co. Limerick.
since I bought the house and lands here, my animals have been subject to attacks, cats shot, stolen, stabbed, hung, poisoned, torn asunder by packs of coursing hounds and unleashed neighbor's dogs, continuing until this day.
If I telephone the Limerick animal welfare I am informed I must report the matter to the Gardai.
The Gardai state it is a matter for Limerick animal welfare.
To date, no action has been taken. I have spoken to as many of the coursing hounds owners as possible and begged them to stay off my land.On no less than 5 occasions since August 1st last year i awoke to find little rescue cats being torn apart by packs of hounds, while their owners stood, just off my land holding guns.
I today, on advice from International animal welfare organisations reported the matter once again to Limerick animal welfare, who were unhelpful but informed me in the course of the conversation that they 'test' all rescued cats and euthanase all that test positive for FIV and feline leukaemia. I stated that these diseases are manageable and do not require euthanasia, but they were adamant that these diseases were passed through sharing of food bowls and incurable, I explained that they are actually manageable with homeopathy and the lady , who refused to give me her name or to allow me to speak with the director stated she did not believe in homeopathy and hung up.
Now FIV is manageable, is contagious but only through fight wounds. It is not zoonotic. and an FIV cat, if kept indoors and in relatively good health will live to a ripe old age.
I have never received funding for my sanctuary and maintain it on a disability pension.
This information is very alarming and the lack of cohesion or transparency in the funded bodies is and will be recognised Internationally as an aberration.
Nor can this wait for the bill to be completed...It requires urgent action now.
I am Mary Keating, tel 061392072. email zeroexistance@gmail.com
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