Written answers

Wednesday, 8 June 2016

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Greyhound Industry

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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56. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to intervene in the crisis surrounding Irish greyhounds being transported to China; if he accepts that he has a specific role to play in prohibiting Irish greyhounds from travelling to countries where they face cruelty and abuse, given his funding of Bord na gCon. [14518/16]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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All exporters of dogs are required to provide the following animal health and welfare certification in relation to (i) compliance with identification requirements (ii) fitness for the intended journey (iii) health status (iv) rabies vaccination requirements. Once these animal certification requirements are met, dogs, including greyhounds, may be exported internationally. Exporters are also required to comply with the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 1 of 2005 on the protection of animals during transport.

I am aware that a very small number of greyhounds have been exported to Macau in the past two months. I understand that Bord na gCon, which is responsible for the governance, regulation and development of the greyhound industry in the Republic of Ireland and the wellbeing of greyhounds, has developed a Code of Practice in relation to the welfare of greyhounds which sets out specific standards that all individuals engaged in the care and management of registered greyhounds are expected to meet. The Code emphasises that owners and keepers must take full responsibility for the physical and social well-being of greyhounds in line with best welfare practice. Oversight mechanisms in place regarding greyhound exports include inter-agency co-operation, co-operation with fellow members of International Greyhound Forums and intelligence/information which is received from Welfare Officers during the course of investigations carried out under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011. Where any breaches of welfare standards are identified under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011, Bord na gCon takes stringent actions and prosecutions ensue in accordance with the Act.

Officials of my Department have recently met with Bord na gCon and the welfare members of the International Greyhound Forum (represented by the ISPCA and the Dogs Trust) to consider the issues surrounding the export of greyhounds. Bord na gCon advises all owners involved in the export of greyhounds to only export to destinations with high animal welfare standards and that provide the expected levels of greyhound care and management as defined in the Code and I strongly endorse this view. I should point out, however, that international trade takes place in a legally complex environment, and that national legislation is not legally binding on activities which take place outside the State.

In conclusion, I should say that, following the decision of certain airlines not to transport greyhounds, it is unlikely that the trade in greyhounds to Macau will continue.

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