Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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52. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 56 of 8 June 2016, specifically that international trade takes place in a legally complex environment and that national legislation is not legally binding on activities in other states, to impose a ban on the export of greyhounds to China, given that it is not within the power of the Irish authorities to guarantee their welfare once they arrive there and given reports of severe maltreatment of greyhounds in Macau. [21009/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The position as I outlined in my reply on 8 June remains unchanged. All exporters of dogs are required to provide animal health and welfare certification in respect of compliance with identification requirements, fitness for the intended journey, health status and rabies vaccination requirements. Once these animal certification requirements are met, dogs, including greyhounds, may be exported internationally. Exporters of animals are also required to comply with the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1 of 2005 on the protection of animals during transport. 

While a very small number of greyhounds have been exported to Macau earlier this year, it is nevertheless imperative to ensure that the transport of greyhounds over long distances is conducted in a manner which safeguards the welfare of animals being transported and minimises the risk of transmitting infectious diseases. Bord na gCon is responsible for the governance, regulation and development of the greyhound industry in the Republic as well as the well-being of greyhounds. The Bord has developed a comprehensive Code of Practice on 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 take full responsibility for the physical and social well-being of greyhounds in line with best welfare practice.

As mentioned in my reply of 8 June, oversight mechanisms in place regarding greyhound exports include inter-agency co-operation, co-operation with fellow members of the International Greyhound Forum and mechanisms relating to intelligence and 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 that Act, Bord na gCon takes stringent actions and prosecutions ensue in accordance with the Act.

Officials of my Department met on 23rd May with representatives of Bord na gCon and the welfare members of the International Greyhound Forum - represented by the ISPCA and Dogs Trust here in Ireland - to consider the issues surrounding the export of greyhounds.  I met with representatives of the ISPCA on 29th June last and, on the specific issue of export of greyhounds to Macau, the ISPCA recalled the positive engagement of the Greyhound Forum on this issue.