Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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921. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is taking to prevent puppy farming and the trafficking of animals and pets in and out of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19818/20]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I absolutely condemn the trafficking of animals and pets into and out of the country and I call on anyone with knowledge of such illegal activity to report it without delay to the relevant authorities.  Customs officials and members of an Garda Síochána are authorised to check the paperwork of incoming and outgoing pet animals. 

The Department of Rural and Community Development has policy responsibility for matters pertaining to the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, while the local authorities are responsible for operational activities such as the registration, inspection and regulation of Dog Breeding Establishments, including enforcement activities.  

The movement of pet animals to and from Ireland is governed by EU legislation on the non-commercial movement of pet animals, and on commercial trade in pet animals.  

Under EU law, dogs, cats and ferrets moved between EU Member States must be accompanied by an EU pet passport, be microchipped, and have a valid rabies vaccination. Premises engaged in the commercial export of dogs and certain other (non-farmed) animals from Ireland must be registered with my Department. Before export, these animals must undergo a clinical examination by an authorised veterinarian, who must verify that the animals show no obvious signs of disease and are fit to be transported. The animals must also have a health certificate issued by a Department veterinarian. Exporters must comply with EU law on the protection of animals during transport.  

Commercial movements of certain animals, including dogs, cats and ferrets, directly into Ireland from a third country, currently does not take place, as Ireland does not have a Border Control Post designated for the import of such animals.  Any such imports must currently enter the EU through a Border Control Post designated for such animals in another EU Member State before entering Ireland.

Under the EU rules on pet travel, DAFM officials carry out random compliance checks on pet dogs, cats and ferrets entering Ireland from other EU countries.  Compliance checks are carried out on all pet dogs, cats and ferrets entering Ireland from outside the EU. 

My Department actively engages on the issue of pet trade.  Ireland takes an active role in this issue at the European level, as a member of a group of a number of EU Member States and animal welfare charities established to consider issues relating to the pet trade.

My Department is also  a member of the Irish Pet Advertising Advisory Group (IPAAG), a group formed in 2015 by a number of animal welfare organisations, veterinary professionals and classified advertising websites to address irresponsible advertising of pets online. This group has played an important role in outlining to the general public the welfare issues that can be associated with purchasing a pet from an advertisement on line.  

The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which focuses on early intervention and contains strong enforcement powers, marked a significant step forward in the modernisation of the law relating to animal welfare, reflecting societal concern for animal welfare.  

Section 11 of the Act imposes a duty on everyone to protect the welfare of the animal under their control.  Section 12 of the Act makes it an offence to neglect or cause unnecessary suffering to an animal, or endanger the health or welfare of an animal.  

My Department operates an anonymous helpline through which members of the public can report animal welfare concerns.  The helpline can be contacted at Call Save: 0761 064408, 01 6072379, or by email, animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.