asked Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the constant reports of ill treatment of Irish greyhounds sold to greyhounds tracks in Spain; and if it is his intention to stop this trade completely or to have the situation closely monitored until such time as he is satisfied that the greyhounds are cared for in a proper manner.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Illtreatment of Irish Greyhounds.
14.
Enda Kenny
Question:124 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has fully satisfied himself with the method and standard of transfer of greyhounds to Spain from Ireland; if he will give details of any follow up veterinary advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 124 together.
Transporters of animals, including greyhounds, are required under the Transit of Animals (General) Order, 1973, to ensure that the welfare of animals is safeguarded during transport. Consignments are subjected to monitoring by inspectors of the Department of Agriculture and Food to ensure that such requirements are observed and that standards of transport are satisfactory.
Most exports of greyhounds from this country to Spain have until recently been organised by Bord na gCon. However, the board suspended its involvement in such exports last October pending the carrying out of an assessment by the World Greyhound Racing Federation of the conditions within the Spanish greyhound industry. The asessment has been completed and certain recommendations have been made to the Spanish authorities. Bord na gCon have not, however, resumed the trade.
I was not concerned about the transport of the animals because I understand that is done in a proper and humane manner. I was worried about the continuation of the trade because it is obvious from newspaper reports over the past number of years that Irish greyhounds exported to Spain are treated in a diabolical manner. We should not be party to any such trade until we are satisfied that the Spaniards are willing to keep those animals in proper conditions. Am I right in reiterating the point that this trade will not be continued until such time as the Minister is happy that the Spaniards will conduct themselves properly?
Yes, I would like to give Deputy Deasy that undertaking. I am aware of his interest in the greyhound industry. It seems that greyhounds exported to Spain, after long and distressing journeys, were kept in the worst possible conditions in Spain and afterwards were expected to run on tracks sometimes while they were ill or injured, thus rendering them of no further use. It was further alleged that many of these greyhounds ended up in Spanish laboratories for experimentation. No responsible Member of this House would want that kind of ill treatment to continue.
Have Bord na gCon discerned whether there has been an improvement in the treatment of these dogs?
The information I have is that the World Greyhound Racing Federation concluded that greyhounds for export to Spain, under the aegis of Bord na nCon, would have to be certified, checked and monitored by a veterinary surgeon as healthy and fit to travel, the vehicles checked, an assurance given that the dogs were up to standard before being expected to run and that the kennelling was up to the highest standards of ventilation, light etc.
The Minister informed us that Bord na gCon ceased the export of greyhounds to Spain. Is he aware that a member of the board purchased 35 greyhounds for that purpose since this decision was made by the board without taking into consideration the decision that was made, but with a view to making a quick buck, and without also taking into consideration the conditions there? The Minister also said that his reply is given on the basis of reports. Why do we not send someone out there to check on this situation and, if it is as bad as this, what action will the Minister take in connecion with the member of Bord na gCom who purchased greyhounds after the decision was made to cease the exportation of greyhounds?
The Chair is concerned about reflections cast upon a member of Bord na gCon who might well be identifiable. If serious charges are being made against a person outside this House I would much prefer that they were made by substantive motion rather than in this fashion. This is a privileged Assembly. We should be slow to cast aspersions on people outside the House who have no redress against such accusations.
It is no reflection. Is the Minister going to reply?
My question recognises the fact that Spain is within the European Community. In 1993 there will be free borders and we will be able to freely export all products, including people, money and animals. Can I take it from the Minister's reply that he will not preclude exports to any country within the Community of animals, which complies with the regulations, to a legitimate purchaser who would look after the animals properly? Surely we cannot stop trade with a fellow member state.
The question deals with Spain and I am concerned that we might go outside that area.
It is Spain I am talking about. Spain is a member of the Community.
I have no knowledge of the allegation which has been made. However, we asked the World Greyhound Federation, when these reports came to our attention, to examine and report on the conditions which obtain within the Spanish greyhound racing industry. While the federation reports that no deliberate acts of cruelty were observed they, nevertheless, came up with recommendations. The recommendations were sent to the Spanish greyhound authorities who subsequently informed Bord na gCon that the main recommendations in the report had been implemented. However, the present position is that exports of greyhounds through Bord na gCon remain suspended.
Let us have a reply to No. 15, please.
Will you ensure that the board adhere to it?
There has been no answer at all to my question.
The position is that we are mindful of the possibility of cruelty and——
I have called Question No. 15. Let us have a response.
The English press are making a meal out of it, unfortunately. We should have it checked out.
I cannot get an answer to my question.
Supplementaries should cease when the Chair calls another question.
I had asked a Supplementary before you did so.
The Chair always facilitates Deputies, including the Deputy concerned.
But the Minister did not——
Let us have no further argument about it.
After being a blooded friend of his for years.