Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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139. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has received complaints or expressions of concern from persons involved in the greyhound industry regarding the operating implications of recent changes to rules governing greyhound export; if so, the common difficulties; if the matter will be tweaked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10918/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department is aware of the concerns expressed by persons involved in the commercial export of greyhounds about the implications arising from the implementation of EU legislation governing the commercial movement of greyhounds, notably Directive 2013/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013) and Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 which came into effect on 29 December 2014 and which have been transposed into Irish law under the Pet Passport (No 2) Regulations 2014. There have been a number of meetings between my officials and representatives of the greyhound industry including the Irish Greyhound Board in connection with this issue. These meetings and discussions have concentrated on finding mutually satisfactory solutions to the logistical difficulties that exporters are experiencing with regard to getting the necessary health certification which must accompany all dogs moving off the island for commercial purposes.

My Department has endeavoured to smooth this process as much as possible by having dedicated veterinary personnel on standby at the sales venues to prepare the health certificates for dogs sold there or for dogs that are sold privately and brought to the venue. In addition, my Department has invited the private veterinary practitioners and greyhounds transporters to be trained in processing the initial part of the certification to further streamline the process and to reduce the time taken for official certification.

I am confident that, with ongoing co-operation from all interested parties, the difficulties arising from the implementation of the new EU legislation can be resolved to the satisfaction of all involved.