Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)

One has to rear greyhounds and generally does so up to 12 to 14 months. The six months provided for has no relevance to the greyhound industry and will create huge damage therein. Under this provision an establishment, following the birth of one litter of pups, will become a breeding establishment. The Minister stated that all breeds will be subject to the provisions of this Bill. He is trying to legislate for thigh breeds of dogs and intensive puppy farming and will as a result badly damage the greyhound industry. The fundamental problem I have with this legislation is that we will have duplication because of the determination in this provision of a bitch as being useful for breeding purposes at six months old, which is crazy. That does not happen.

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