Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

204. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that have been taken to address greyhound culling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40693/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) 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. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

RCÉ had sought, as part of the modernising of the legislative framework governing the greyhound industry, that a traceability system would be introduced in relation to racing greyhounds. This is now provided for on a statutory basis in the Greyhound Racing Act, 2019. RCÉ tendered for a traceability system in earlier this year and work has been going with the appointed contractor over recent months. RCÉ expects to have the system operational by year end.

Regulations will be advanced in 2021 to underpin the system and ensure enforcement of the provisions for traceability. The traceability system will provide for the recording of important life events in the life of the racing greyhound including birth, microchipping, registration, racing career, changes of ownership/trainer, location, export, retirement and end of life.

RCÉ’s Code of Practice for the Care & Welfare of the Greyhound, prepared in accordance with Section 6 of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 specifies ‘Euthanasia must only be performed by a registered veterinary practitioner unless on exceptional grounds. The owner must obtain a death certificate appropriately stamped and signed by the registered veterinary practitioner’. Public consultation on the updated Code of Practice has recently concluded.

RCÉ also operates a 24/7 confidential phone/email line for reporting of any care and welfare issues relating to greyhounds. Any reports of inappropriate behaviour will be followed up by RCÉ’s Welfare Officers.