Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I speak to this amendment because it is similar to one that was proposed by our local club in Monaghan which questioned the fact that one person could have a number of farms, with five bitches on each of the units. Very clearly, if it is a question of the number of clutches or batches of pups being reared, such an amendment is vital. I have a neighbour who has 20 bitches. He might only have two litters of pups per year, maximum, and yet he will be included under the Act. However, if he were to spey those annual bitches they would be no use for hunting. It is as simple as that.

He is only interested in hunting and whatever pups he has he shares with his friends in the business. All he wants is to be allowed to carry on and care for his animals in a proper manner.

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