Seanad debates
Wednesday, 18 May 2022
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters
Animal Welfare
10:30 am
Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Martin Heydon.
Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein)
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I seek the Government's position ahead of next week's European Council meeting. I would like to hear very clearly from the Minister of State, who is here on behalf of the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, what the Government proposes to do to regulate exotic pets. Ireland has a completely lax system when it comes to exotic animals. I often raise concerns about the treatment of dogs and horses. At least in the case of dogs, we have microchipping and licensing laws, albeit that they are poorly enforced. There are no such regulations governing exotic animals. Only a few weeks ago, we heard from the exotic animal sanctuary that it is inundated with calls from people seeking to rehome their pandemic parrots. We also see news reports of reptiles being found abandoned or living in watercourses.There is literally nothing stopping people from buying exotic animals. These animals have complex needs and in many cases are exceptionally long lived. They live for far longer than cats and dogs. The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe, which has daily interactions with exotic species, has said it is clear many species are not suitable as companion animals. They can experience extreme stress, boredom and depression and have severe behavioural issues, including self-mutilation. Irresponsible breeding, which is happening, has seen animals taken from the wild to feed the captive breeding industry. While Ireland is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the evidence is there to show the exotic pet industry is having an impact on wild animal populations. The trade is also having an impact on our biodiversity here as some species become invasive.
Ireland needs to get a handle on the exotic pet industry. We need to look at what other countries are doing, see how effective their regulations are and introduce what is most effective. In the North there is a licensing system and Britain has introduced a certification process to ensure potential owners have completed a course to show they know how to look after the exotic species. I particularly want to focus today on the Cypriot proposal, which has a lot of merit. I want to hear the Department's view on it. Cyprus proposes to introduce an EU-wide positive list system for companion animals. Belgium introduced such a list in 2001 and it has clearly been very effective there. Proponents of the positive list argue it provides clarity. It is simpler and better than a negative list as it avoids the situation whereby if an animal is not listed it is permitted by default. Positive lists are a precautionary approach and are more effective against new unforeseen trends we might have in various exotic animals.
Will the Minister of State outline what Ireland's position will be at the AGRIFISH Council meeting on 24 May? If the Minister will not support the Cypriot proposal, which is backed by Lithuania, Malta and Luxembourg, what will he propose instead to address the issue in Ireland? We cannot continue with business as usual when it comes to exotic species in this country.
Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator Boylan for raising the matter. At the upcoming European AGRIFISH Council meeting, the Cyprus delegation will share information with Ministers regarding the establishment of a new legislative framework for an EU positive list for the keeping of companion animals, as the Senator has outlined. Officials in the Department are awaiting the detailed wording of proposal of the Cypriot Government, and the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, will consider this carefully in advance of the meeting on 24 May.
Separately, and reflecting societal concerns about the keeping, breeding and trading of exotic animal species, officials in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have been asked to take the lead in establishing an independently chaired interdepartmental group to ensure a coherent national approach to policy and regulation related to exotic animals. This reflects the fact that such matters involve a number of Departments. The Senator has outlined her concerns, which I understand, about exotic animals. The situation is evolving. Exotic animals can have an impact in areas other than agriculture. It is important that all stakeholders and Departments are engaged in the process This is what we are doing with the interdepartmental group. This in line with the programme for Government and Ireland's Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025 - Working Together for Animal Welfare. Initial meetings of the group have taken place and its work will focus on regulating the keeping, breeding and trading of exotic animals. All aspects of these areas and models for best practice will be considered by the group in developing new regulations.
We are awaiting the detailed wording of the Cypriot proposal. We will give it due consideration and the Minister will work on it prior to the meeting on 24 May to see the implications of moving to a positive list as opposed to a negative list. With any regulation, we want to check there are no unintended consequences with regard to how it would affect other species. All of these issues will need to be considered when we have the detailed wording of the proposal from the Cypriots.
Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister of State for his response. I wonder whether it is the proposal I have in my hand, which is the Cypriot proposal, that he is awaiting. It is available. If he is worried about unintended consequences, they would come with a negative list because a negative list has to be exhaustive. A positive list clearly sets out what is permitted to be kept.
We know venomous snakes are being bred in Ireland. There are public health impacts related to exotic species. I am aware a sable in the country was found to be carrying a rabies-type virus. While I appreciate the programme for Government includes looking at animal welfare legislation, I encourage the Minister to listen very carefully to what the Cypriots will propose and give it due consideration. Even if he cannot bring himself to support the proposal, I ask for interim measures to be introduced. We are seeing significant animal welfare issues with exotic species. People do not know how to look after these animals. People have animals that can live for up to 80 years but they will not be around to look after them. I encourage the Minister to introduce at the bare minimum interim regulations to deal with this.
Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The Department has a proud history in supporting the welfare of animals, whether through policy initiatives, the provision of advice and guidance, financial assistance to farmers to help them improve their facilities, and financial support to animal welfare charities. Last year we launched Ireland's first overarching animal welfare strategy, reflecting the Government's clear commitment to animal welfare. The strategy is backed by resources and expertise in the Department and involves dialogue and co-operation with other Departments, agencies, stakeholders and civil society. We have strong protections for animal welfare in Ireland. The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides a regulatory framework for welfare. This framework seeks to ensure animals are kept in such a way that their welfare is provided for.
We are also fully engaged in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which covers endangered exotic animals, as the Senator outlined, more than 4,000 species of animals, and 25,000 plant species. Its aim is to ensure international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival in the wild and is sustainable, legal and traceable. The competent authority in Ireland with responsibility for CITES is the National Parks and Wildlife Service. It acts as the management authority that controls, permits and certifies species covered by the convention. The Department regulates the health status of animals entering Ireland. As I have outlined already, the Department is leading an interdepartmental group on exotic animals to advise on policy and regulation. I will ask that the Senator is made aware of developments arising from its work following the meeting of the AGRIFISH Council next week.