Written answers
Tuesday, 30 January 2024
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Animal Breeding
Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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445. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on measures being taken to tackle puppy farming across the country; what is being done to enforce these measures; what measures are being taken to enforce dog microchipping regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4144/24]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Regarding the issue of puppy farming, 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.
My Department is responsible for S.I. No 63/2015, the Microchipping of Dogs Regulation 2015 and S.I. 427/2015 - Microchipping of Dogs (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Under these Regulations, all dogs over 12 weeks of age (or younger if sold before 12 weeks) must be microchipped.
These regulations were made under the Animal Health & Welfare Act, 2013 and therefore can be enforced by any authorised officer under that Act. This includes officers of my Department, An Gardaí Siochana, authorised officers appointed by local authorities, Customs agents and officers of the ISPCA and DSPCA.
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