Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 79: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the publicised plans by the Irish Greyhound Board to expand greyhound racing to China, if his attention has been drawn to the non-existence of animal welfare legislation in China; if he will assure those concerned for the thousands of Irish surplus dogs who would end up discarded if racing starts in China and are in very real danger of being used in fur and/or food production. [6306/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Bord na gCon is a commercial State Body. The Board of Bord na gCon is responsible for leading and directing the activities of the Company. My Department is aware that Bord na gCon is exploring possible business opportunities in China. However Bord na gCon has not as yet made a submission to the Department in this regard.

Bord na gCon has repeatedly confirmed its commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare in the greyhound industry. Consequently my Department would expect that any proposal involving Bord na gCon engaging with the greyhound industry in China would consider animal welfare matters. The Department will, if and when it receives a submission on this matter from Bord na gCon, consider the proposal in the round and form a view based on the case put forward. The Department is always mindful of the need to ensure the welfare of animals.

Any proposal to export greyhounds from Ireland to China would require the establishment and agreement of export health certification protocols with the Chinese authorities, and appropriate transport arrangements would have to be put in place to ensure the welfare of the animals in transit. My Department endeavours to ensure that all exporters comply with Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations. All Member States of the EU including Ireland are working to promote better animal welfare internationally and in this regard Ireland has introduced national legislation giving effect to Regulation (EC) No. 1523/2007 of the European Parliament and Council dated 11 December 2007 banning the marketing, import to or export from, the Community of cat and dog fur and products containing such fur.