Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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1591. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will refuse any further State funding to the Irish Greyhound Board and the greyhound industry (details supplied). [26047/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Successive Governments have provided financial support for the development of the greyhound racing sector, which is an important contributor to the economy and employment and a significant sporting and leisure activity enjoying the support of participants in both urban and rural areas. My Department will continue to support the sector.

It is imperative of course that those involved in the sector operate in a manner which is consistent with the relevant animal welfare codes and regulations.

Bord na gCon is responsible for the governance, regulation and development of the greyhound industry in the Republic of Ireland and for the wellbeing of greyhounds. It 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. Details of prosecutions for non-compliance with Welfare Notices issued by Bord na gCon are published on the Bord na gCon website www.igb.ie.

Earlier this year, officials of my Department 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.

Bord na gGon also operates an active re-homing policy through its registered charity, the Retired Greyhound Trust. The Trust also supports private welfare re-homing agencies in Ireland in their efforts to find suitable homes for retired greyhounds.

Bord na gCon have established a Scientific Committee of national and international experts to advise it generally on matters relating to doping and medication control. In addition it has introduced legislation to enhance its regulatory and integrity controls including providing for out of competition testing, publication of adverse analytical findings and prohibition on racing where an adverse result is found. Bord na gCon is also working closely with my Department on the drafting of a new Greyhound Industry Bill which addresses the Governance of Bord na gCon (BNG), strengthens regulatory controls in the Industry, modernises sanctions and improves integrity with a view to building a reputation for exceptional regulation in the sector.