Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon is to soon bring proposals to Cabinet aimed at granting tougher powers Department of Agriculture officials have in pursuing animal welfare cases.
The plans would allow search warrants to be used multiple times over the one-month period for which they are valid and would extend the statutory time limit for prosecuting animal welfare cases from one year to two.
Specified animal welfare groups could seek the reimbursement of the costs they incur when seizing animal seizures under the proposals.
“Over the next five years, my Department will focus on science and evidence-led policymaking and work closely with stakeholders to navigate evolving European norms and consumer demands,” the minister said.
“Animal welfare cannot be protected by legislation alone; it is a part of our daily choices. It is about responsible ownership and speaking up when we see an animal in distress.”
Increased
The increased Department powers come as a new animal welfare strategy for 2026-2030 is due to be unveiled by Minister Heydon. The strategy is to promote high animal welfare standards for all animals, seek to improve public awareness and support welfare research in addition to strengthening enforcement powers.
The Programme for Government had committed to introducing “more robust sanctions for animal welfare violations” and ensure to welfare inspection officials are adequately resourced to carry out enforcement tasks to allow Ireland maintain “premier animal welfare standards by advancing a zero-tolerance culture”.
The strategy comes just a few months after the European Commission recommitted to strengthen animal welfare across the EU in a move that would be paired with obtaining higher welfare standards from agri-food goods exported to into EU markets.
The proposals Minister Heydon is to bring before Cabinet will be subject to Government approval before they are sent to the attorney general for legislative drafting, after which they will be published.
SHARING OPTIONS