Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Animal Welfare

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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241. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to request Cavan County Council to release its inspection reports of a so-called 'puppy farm' in County Cavan, recently referred to on a British Broadcasting Corporation Panorama investigation programme as shocking and operated on an industrial scale; to ensure the release of all relevant information regarding this location and its activities, in the interest of highest standards only applying at dog breeding establishments, and the restoration of public confidence that the law applies to all such operations; if and when he will change the relevant legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11604/16]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The regulation of dog breeding establishments is a matter for local authorities in accordance with the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and I understand that Cavan County Council is dealing with the matter referred to by the Deputy.

The local authority must maintain for public inspection a register of dog breeding establishments in its functional area, which must include the name and address of the applicant seeking entry onto the register, the address of the dog breeding establishment and the maximum number of breeding bitches that may be kept at the dog breeding establishment or premises.

The Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010 provides a robust regulatory framework for, inter alia, the licensing, monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments by local authorities and, where a serious and immediate threat exists to public health or animal health and welfare, for the closure of such establishments.

A joint inspection regime of dog breeding establishments, involving officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Local Authority Veterinary Service, was inaugurated last year and is activated, when appropriate. Inspections are on-going and necessary follow up action is taken as appropriate. The discovery of individual problematic dog breeding establishments, and the taking of action by the Gardaí, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and local authorities in an integrated manner in the most serious cases, is a matter for law enforcement which is largely effective. That said, a working group is currently examining the legislation to determine if amendments are required. Until such time as this process is complete, it would be inappropriate for me to comment.

More generally, the enforcement of welfare standards regarding all animals is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

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