Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

88. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to combat the level of negligence and breaching of animal welfare standards within the industry of puppy farming that has been well documented by organisations and persons in view of his statement on 3 October 2017 in which he stated that puppy farming is a stain on the public relationship with animals; and if the industry has been referred to the Revenue Commissioners [6793/18]

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

The Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 remains a matter for the Minister for the Department of Rural and Community Development and the individual Local Authorities in whose functional area the establishment is located.  Each local authority is required to maintain a register of dog breeding establishments in its functional area, which must include details of applicants for inclusion on the register and the maximum number of breeding bitches that may be kept at the relevant establishment.

The information available to me is that in the great majority of cases, such establishments operate without giving rise to serious animal welfare concerns. Where serious deficiencies are found and the relevant local authority takes action it is also then the remit of the court system to deal with specific cases.

The then Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government agreed to begin a process of review of the current Dog Breeding Establishment Guidelines in late 2015. In 2016, the review was broadened to a more formal public consultation, both for quality assurance and to address the need for openness and inclusiveness. A wide-scale formal public consultative process commenced on 1 December 2016 and closed on 28 February 2017. It was then transferred in July 2017 to the Department of Rural and Community Development who I understand have the content under consideration pending publication.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

89. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to combat breaches of welfare regulations and animal welfare standards in the puppy farming industry here; and if this industry is revenue compliant. [6854/18]

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

The Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 remains a matter for the Minister for the Department of Rural and Community Development and the individual Local Authority in whose functional area the establishment is located.  Each local authority is required to maintain a register of dog breeding establishments in its functional area, which must include details of applicants for inclusion on the register and the maximum number of breeding bitches that may be kept at the relevant establishment.

The information available to me is that in the great majority of cases, such establishments operate without giving rise to serious animal welfare concerns. Where serious deficiencies are found and the relevant local authority takes action it is also then the remit of the court system to deal with specific cases.

The then Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government agreed to begin a process of review of the current Dog Breeding Establishment Guidelines in late 2015. In 2016, the review was broadened to a more formal public consultation, both for quality assurance and to address the need for openness and inclusiveness. A wide-scale formal public consultative process commenced on 1 December 2016 and closed on 28 February 2017. It was then transferred in July 2017 to the Department of Department of Rural and Community Development who I understand have the content under consideration pending publication.