Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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115. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details on the enforcement of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011, and in particular the provisions limiting the number of litters that may be registered from any one greyhound bitch; if he is aware of breaches of these particular provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18756/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Bord na gCon is a commercial State body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, charged with the regulation and development of the greyhound racing industry. The Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 specifies standards for greyhound welfare, establishes a register of Greyhound Breeding Establishments and regulates their operation. A Code of Practice in the care and welfare of the greyhound has been established and published by Bord na gCon as per the requirements of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011. The primary objective of the Code of Practice is to set standards and clearly define what is expected of all individuals engaged in the care and management of registered greyhounds.

Greyhound welfare at Bord na gCon is managed by the Welfare Manager who can call upon three area stipendiary stewards and thirteen control stewards to conduct investigations of stray or mistreated greyhounds, conduct kennel inspections and investigate other welfare related incidents which have been reported to Bord na gCon. The Welfare Manager, all area stipendiary stewards and all control stewards have been appointed by Bord na gCon as Welfare Officers under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011.

The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) has responsibility for the registration of greyhounds in the Stud Book. The limit on the number of litters a brood bitch may whelp is governed by Article 11 (3) of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011. These provisions are enforced in the following manner: when a brood bitch is mated to produce a sixth litter,the breeder is informed at that time that they may only have a further two litters provided the brood is certified by a veterinary surgeon as being fit to be mated. Breeders are further advised when they have reached the seventh litter stage. The ICC does not register the result of a ninth mating and they have assured me they are in compliance with the provisions of the Act.