Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

113. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on his Department's consultation on surgical artificial insemination in greyhounds; when he will publish the outcomes of that consultation; when a decision will be made as to whether this practice will be allowed to continue in light of ethical and welfare concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55041/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) announced in April 2024 that it had updated its Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Practitioners to prohibit veterinarians from carrying out surgical artificial insemination in dogs due to ethical and welfare considerations.

However, this new prohibition does not apply to greyhounds, as the practice is provided for in legislation under the Artificial Insemination of Greyhound Regulations 2005.

The report of the Working Group on Control of Dogs, which was approved by Cabinet in March 2023, and has been published online at gov.ie, includes a recommendation that surgical artificial insemination in canines be prohibited, where the word canine encompasses all breeds of dogs, including greyhounds.

In 2024, my Department held a public consultation on whether the practice of carrying out surgical artificial insemination in greyhounds should be banned or not. The results of the public consultation will be published in due course.

My Department is closely examining this issue and will be providing advice on an appropriate course of action in the near future.