Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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1011. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the greyhound trade with the Macau Special Administrative Region in China; if he has animal welfare concerns about this trade; if he will intervene to prevent the export of greyhounds to locations where there are animal welfare concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9759/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Once appropriate animal health and welfare certification requirements are met, dogs, including greyhounds, may be exported internationally. Health certification arrangements are in place and exporters are also required to comply with the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 1 of 2005 on the protection of animals during transport.  A range of flight carriers make the appropriate arrangements for the safe transport of animals worldwide in accordance with the requirements of International Air Transport. The Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) has advised all owners involved in the export of greyhounds to only export to destinations that provide the expected levels of care and management as defined in the IGBs Code of Practice for the welfare of greyhounds. I fully endorse this view.