Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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192. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to amend to the Greyhound Industry Bill 2017 to ensure that the State does not allow the export of greyhounds to countries in which animal welfare standards are poor and not in line with Irish animal welfare standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18295/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Trade within the EU of dogs, including greyhounds, is governed by EU law.  The position is that once animal health and welfare certification requirements, and the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 1 of 2005 on the protection of animals during transport, are met, dogs, including greyhounds, may be moved within the EU or exported to a non-EU country.  The main destination for Irish dogs and greyhounds moved abroad is the UK.

Under EU law, dogs moved to another EU country from Ireland must be accompanied by an EU pet passport, be microchipped, and have a valid rabies vaccination. 

Also under EU law, a premises exporting dogs must be registered with my Department. 

Dogs must also have a health certificate issued by a Department veterinarian. 

I have introduced new greyhound racing legislation to ensure that the principles of good governance and regulation are clearly and unambiguously laid down in primary legislation. In broad terms the Bill seeks to address the deficiencies in the existing legislation as identified in the Indecon report, the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine report and the Morris report. It addresses the governance of Bord na gCon, strengthens regulatory controls in the industry, modernises sanctions and improves integrity with a view to building a reputation for exceptional regulation in the sector. The draft General Scheme of the Bill has progressed through the pre-legislative scrutiny phase. It is hoped that a memorandum will go to Government in the coming weeks, which will request approval to publish the updated General Scheme and to submit it to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting.