Mr. D.J. Histon:

Deputy O'Sullivan asked why we do not have drag coursing. It is banned in other countries such as the UK, where the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs conducted a report following the ban. It reported a severe decline in the hare population and a clear rise in hare poaching by non-coursing people, which sits at 36%. Banning coursing will do little for the hare and ignores the strong link between coursing and the conservation of the hare. Quercus University conducted a study that found there are 18 times more hares where there is coursing because of the coursing club working with landowners and farmers on habitat protection and so on, as well as reporting and preventing illegal hunting.

Deputy O'Sullivan also asked whether testing was random or targeted and where it takes place. Testing takes place at all park coursing meetings. After the finals are run, all dogs engaged in the finals must remain on the premises and a draw is made in public by two officials, which can be observed by any member of the public. The winners of two events are tested. We use the Berlinger bottle, which is the Olympic standard for taking samples. We provide A and B samples and give a copy of the testing details form to the owner. The samples are analysed by LGC, one of the top five laboratories in the world in respect of accreditation. Following a hearing, the person responsible is fined and suspensions are meted out. The Deputy suggested our fines are meagre but they are more substantial than those of any other racing jurisdiction in the world. We examined every jurisdiction when we put together the rule because we want to promote compliance and ensure we deter people from using prohibited substances.

Deputy O'Sullivan asked about suspending the owner. In the event of someone coming before the committee a second time, he or she has to appear before the committee and cannot just pay the fine. We can also seek an exclusion at the time as part of the penalty, although that has not yet happened because such a scenario has not developed.

On the incident at Whiddy Island, Deputy O'Sullivan stated hares were mauled and tossed but I did not see that on the programme.