Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 359: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the lack of regulation on the commercial export trade of live dogs; if the regulations governing the conditions or transport of live animals for commercial export apply to dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5398/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My colleague Mr John Gormley, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has recently published the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009. This legislation will update certain aspects of the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 1992, as amended, and will largely deal with the regulation of dog breeding establishments, including any that may be involved in the export trade.

Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 of 22 December 2004 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations governs the transport of live animals, with certain aspects implemented by European Communities (Animal Transport and Control Post) Regulations 2006 SI No 675 of 2006. While there is a particular focus on transport of horses and livestock, this legislation does apply to the transport of all live vertebrate animals, including dogs.