Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1449. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds by location exported to other jurisdictions in the past five years to date; the procedures and protocols in place in relation to the exportation of greyhounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22129/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Bord na gCon is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

It is not possible to establish exact figures for greyhound exports, as TRACES, the European Commission's online management tool for all sanitary requirements on intra-EU trade and importation of animals, does not distinguish between breeds of dogs moved commercially. I can confirm that the vast majority of dogs that are moved from Ireland go to the UK.

BnG tendered for a traceability system in early 2020 and a contract is at present underway to deliver the system during Q4 2020. The system will enable the traceability of racing greyhounds and will be supported by statutory regulation under the Greyhound Racing Act, 2019.

The Welfare of Greyhounds Act, 2011 obliges Bord na gCon to publish a code of practice for the welfare of greyhounds. The primary objective of the code is to set standards and clearly define what is expected of all individuals engaged in the care and management of registered greyhounds. Currently, the code gives guidance on a range of areas including general welfare principles, animal husbandry, animal health and use of animal remedies.

The Board proposes to expand the existing code to clearly indicate its position regarding exports to countries that do not meet Ireland’s welfare standards. This will include information and guidance on preparation for export, transportation arrangements and advising the exporter on the need to research the proposed export destination to establish the prevailing animal welfare code and legislation. Bord na gCon encourages and promotes the export of greyhounds only to countries that have established a positive animal welfare code and practices which is a view that I fully endorse.