Written answers

Thursday, 27 October 2016

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Live Exports

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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35. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support the amendment of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 in order that the export of greyhounds to countries with insufficient welfare standards will be prevented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32204/16]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Once appropriate animal health and welfare 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. It is  imperative therefore 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 regulation of the greyhound industry and the well-being of greyhounds in Ireland. 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.

Officials of my Department have met with representatives of Bord na gCon and the welfare members of the International Greyhound Forum (represented in Ireland by the ISPCA and Dogs Trust) to consider all issues relating to the export of greyhounds. Officials have used the opportunity to emphasise that the well-being of greyhounds, including their physical and social environment, is at the core of Ireland's greyhound industry and the need for the industry to comply with the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 and the associated Code of Practice which sets out clearly specific standards that all individuals engaged in the care and management of registered greyhounds are expected to meet. A number of airlines have also introduced a policy not to transport greyhounds and Bord Na gCon (BnG) has reiterated its advice to all owners involved in the export of greyhounds to only export to destinations that provide the expected levels of care and management as defined in BnG's Code of Practice for the welfare of greyhounds.  I fully endorse this view. I have no proposal to amend the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 at this time.

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