Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

230. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to implement the recommendations of the report by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on drug use in the greyhound industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21775/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Bord na gCon has informed me that it has carried out an extensive review of procedures for regulatory control with many new standard operating procedures either finalised or close to finalisation. New secondary legislation is now in place with the result that any adverse analytical finding from a greyhound tested for prohibited substances after October 1st 2015 will be published and the greyhound immediately banned from racing until a further test is undertaken which yields negative results. In addition the findings of all new cases initiated after the October 1st 2015 and coming before the Control Committee and the Control Appeals Committee which, adjudicate on any possible breaches of regulation, will be published as will the reasons for their decision. A Scientific Committee on Doping and Medication Control has been established. Its task will be to advise Bord na gCon on an ongoing basis on scientific matters relating to doping and medication control in greyhounds. In particular it will review the current list of substances which are prohibited or controlled and, where applicable, their associated thresholds or limits, and it will advise Bord na gCon on any changes considered necessary from a scientific point of view.

Also an intelligence lead testing regime has been developed targeting its resources at the areas of greatest risk. Targeted testing has included testing in competition, at trials and also at greyhound sales. Bord na gCon has confirmed that it has also adopted an inter-agency cooperation strategy in their anti-doping and medication control policy, insofar as legislation permits, to ensure intelligence-led mechanisms with other enforcement agencies are in place to police this area of risk for the industry whilst making the best use of the limited resources available.

As an indication of how seriously Bord na gCon take this mater they commissioned a report by Professor Tim Morris, who is currently the Independent Scientific Adviser to the Greyhound Board of Great Britain on Anti-doping and Medication Control, to examine the use of doping and medication in the greyhound sector in Ireland. The Morris report will enable Bord na gCon to further develop its policy and regulation. It is my understanding that the board expect to publish the report in the coming weeks. Once the Morris report is published I will examine its recommendations to determine whether any further measures are required.

Both the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 and Bord na gCon’s Welfare Code of Practice provide a strong framework for regulation and enforcement. I will also be bringing forward the heads of a Greyhound Amendment Bill shortly to deal with issues of governance, regulation and enforcement. In this context, I will have an opportunity, through the pre legislative scrutiny process, to hear the views of stakeholders and take them into account in determining the final shape of the Bill.

It is my firm belief that the future of the greyhound industry is dependent on the stakeholders having trust and confidence in the industry and regulation is central to the reputation of the sector. Indecon made a number of recommendations to strengthen regulatory processes and procedures. As already outlined a number of firm actions have already taken place and I am determined that Indecon’s recommendations in this area will be fully implemented.