Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

I am delighted to have the opportunity to raise this issue. The proposal of Bord na gCon to set up a racing franchise and export Irish greyhounds to the People's Republic of China has given rise to considerable concern among animal rights and welfare groups and ordinary dog owners. I am sure the Minister of State and every Deputy will have received numerous letters and e-mails on the issue in recent days raising concerns about the possible export of greyhounds to a country which has no animal welfare legislation and no regulation, supervision or mechanism for protecting such animals. There is no ban on the killing of dogs there and we are all aware that some dogs are regularly eaten or are on the menu in China. Obviously, there is considerable scope for abuse under the circumstances.

It is with a degree of trepidation that we have learned that Bord na gCon is to establish this link with China for a new greyhound industry there. We have just got to the stage of providing legislation in this country, through the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, and this year we expect to deal with the aptly named Welfare of Greyhounds Bill. It would be a retrograde step, when we are putting regulatory measures in place in this country to deal with the breeding of dogs, the prevention of abuse in that regard, and the welfare of greyhounds, which form a huge industry in Ireland, and ensuring there is adequate regulation and supervision in the industry, to open up an export market to a country that has no such regulation, measures or supervision and where we would only be in charge at long distance. We must remember that the People's Republic of China is not around the corner but at the other side of the world. While we could have the best of regulations here at home, we would have no power on a statutory basis to ensure there were any regulations in the People's Republic of China. Quite clearly there could be a lucrative contract with Bord na gCon in respect of this commercial matter, but is this a suitable business for Ireland to get involved in unless we can ensure that animal welfare is protected?

Can the Minister of State allay the fears that ordinary people have about greyhounds exported from Ireland? There are fears that they would not be properly supervised in their racing career while in China. There are concerns over how they are to be disposed of and dealt with after they have ceased to be of any use on the racetrack. If there is no protection for animals we can only imagine the worst may happen in many instances. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has responsibility to grant approval and provide licences for any such export trade. What detailed discussions have taken place with the Chinese authorities on the project? Have there been discussions on animal welfare? Are the Irish authorities in a position to supervise and persuade the Chinese authorities that if such a greyhound industry is established in the People's Republic then statutory provisions would be introduced to protect the welfare of the dogs involved?

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