Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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194. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 25 of 5 May 2016, the welfare certification required from exporters of dogs to China and how this operates to protect dogs which are exported. [10990/16]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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196. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that 24 Irish greyhounds that were due to fly from Manchester to China on 12 May, 2016 did not go because of protests and complaints at the airport; and if he will take steps to ensure that the welfare of these greyhounds is secured upon their return to Ireland. [10992/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 196 together.

All exporters of dogs are required to provide veterinary certification in relation to (i) their compliance with identification requirements (Microchipping and pet passport where appropriate) (ii) their fitness for the intended journey (iii) their health status (iv) rabies vaccination requirements. Once these 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.

With regard to the 24 greyhounds, I understand that the greyhounds in question have returned to Ireland and were inspected by officers of my Department and found to be in good health.