The Green Party yesterday called for an end to fur farming in a Private Members' Bill.
The party said there were six mink farms, one of which also farmed silver and Arctic foxes, in the Republic, and they were killing 150,000 animals annually.
An opinion poll showed that nearly two in three Irish people believed that fur farming should be banned, according to the party.
Moving the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill, 2004, Dan Boyle, (Cork South Central) said the principle of fur farming was inconsistent with ethical agricultural behaviour.
He said the Bill was not about a prohibition on the sale or distribution of fur. "Consumers make those choices and, more often than not, they choose not to."
He said similar legislation existed in Britain and elsewhere.
"In the past, there has been a reluctance in this House to engage in innovative legislation. I think that stage has now been passed with the introduction of the smoking ban."
Minister of State for Agriculture John Browne said the Government was opposed to the introduction of a ban on fur farming.
"The Government considers fur farming to be a legitimate farming activity in this country, a view that is shared amongst the vast majority of member states of the EU."
Mr Browne said that adequate care and attention must be provided for all animals on Irish farms.
"In fur farming husbandry systems, the animals must be inspected frequently to safeguard their welfare.
"Owners are obliged to keep records of any medicinal treatments given, and of the number of mortalities found at each inspection."
He said it was worth noting that the recent reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy would lead to a strengthening of the position of animal welfare in EU agricultural policy.
Tom Hayes (FG, Tipperary South) urged the Green Party to have a rethink on the issue, and expressed concern about the impact of the party's proposal on rural Ireland.
