Dr. Colm Gaynor:

Deputy Cahill raised an interesting question. The point I made was that the rules for the movement of dogs, as in the case of all other animals, are set at a European level. We contribute to that in the same way as all other member states. In regard to a country within Europe that does not comply with the standards set down, there is a set mechanism for complaint and redress in that regard. Unilateral action is not usually accepted and can lead to actions against the country that is unilaterally acting. For member states that are not complying with the welfare requirements set out, complaints need to be made to the authorities in Brussels.

As regards third countries, we would all sympathise that we cannot do more in terms of the export of animals from Europe to other countries but for reasons of history etc., animal welfare does not figure expressly in the WTO agreements. The only concept of restriction arises when the treatment of animals in the countries involved is morally shocking to Europeans generally. There have been a few cases about seal clubbing, in particular, in some countries that have led to defensible restrictions on trade outside of Europe. I do not believe it is possible for Ireland to put up a barrier to dogs moving to other member states. The proper way to seek to protect dogs from export to countries outside of Europe is to sponsor proposals in that regard in Brussels. The NGOs involved in welfare have extensive mechanisms for doing that. They also lobby the European Parliament, as well as the Commission, in this respect on a continuous basis, often quite successfully.

The right place to complain about other member states' standards is to Brussels, which has mechanisms in place for investigating them. I hope I have answered the Deputy's question.