Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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457. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds exported to the United Kingdom for sales and trials between 2010 to 2016; the number returned here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41326/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Exporters must comply with EU law on the protection of animals during transport (EC No 1/2005), while the transport of animals by air is also governed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations.

There are no requirements or facilities for recording the breed of dog as part of the export certification process. Once animal health and welfare certification requirements are met, all dogs, including greyhounds, may be exported from Ireland.

With regard to the export of greyhounds to the United Kingdom for sales and trials, Bord na gCon has informed me that it has no statutory function regarding the regulation of greyhound exports and therefore is not in a position to maintain a record of the number of greyhounds exported to and returned from the United Kingdom for sales and trials.

Accordingly, it is not possible to provide the Deputy with the breakdown of export trade statistics that he is seeking.