Written answers

Wednesday, 20 April 2011

Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food

Animal Welfare

9:00 am

Photo of Anne FerrisAnne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to reports that the Irish Greyhound Board is in talks to send Irish greyhounds to China in order to establish a greyhound industry; his views that this would be contrary to the recently drafted Welfare of Greyhounds Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8743/11]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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 and has recently made a submission to my Department in this regard. My Department will consider the Bord na gCon proposal and form a view based on the case presented to it. My Department is always mindful of the need to ensure the welfare of animals.

Bord na gCon has repeatedly confirmed its commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare in the greyhound industry. 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.

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