Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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21. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on reported exports of greyhounds to Pakistan; if a club (details supplied) has been actively involved in exporting greyhounds to Pakistan; if up to 200 greyhounds have been exported to Pakistan; the measures he will take on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20873/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I have been made aware of reports of exports of greyhounds to Pakistan. Information received to date from my Department's local offices indicates that no greyhounds were exported direct from Ireland to Pakistan during 2016 or to date in 2017.

Commercial movements of dogs within the EU are recorded on the European Commission’s TRACES system.  Therefore my Department has access to the figures of exports of dogs from Ireland to other EU Member States.  However, my Department does not have figures for the movements of dogs that are, for example, exported to the UK, the most significant destination for Irish dogs, and subsequently exported to a third country. 

The legal position is that, once animal health and welfare certification requirements are met, dogs, including greyhounds, may be exported internationally.  Exporters are required to comply with the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 1 of 2005 on the protection of animals during transport. However, Bord na gCon advises all owners of greyhounds to only export to destinations that provide the expected levels of greyhound care and management as defined in the Code.  I fully endorse this view.