Vol. 453 No. 3
171 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has satisfied himself that greyhounds exported from Ireland to Spain are properly treated; the investigations, if any, that have been conducted by his Department in this regard; and the plans, if any, he has to ban or regulate the export of greyhounds to Spain or any other member state of the European Union. [9223/95]
The exportation of greyhounds from Ireland to Spain is a legitimate trade within the Internal Market. In so far as transport is concerned, it is governed by the Diseases of Animals (Protection of Animals during Transport) Order, 1995, which I introduced recently. Most greyhound exports were in the past organised by Bord na gCon. I understand that, in 1991, following allegations of ill-treatment of dogs at Spanish greyhound tracks, the board decided to suspend its sales/export agency in relation to the Spanish market. The World Greyhound Racing Federation, WGRF, also carried out an investigation into conditions within Spanish greyhound racing at that time and, while concluding that no deliberate acts of cruelty were observed, made certain recommendations, mainly in relation to kennelling facilities and the training of personnel.
Since the suspension of Bord na gCon's involvement, some export activity between Ireland and Spain has been taking place, but the trade is small. I have written to, and discussed with, my Spanish counterpart the allegations about Spanish greyhound racing and have been assured that the WGRF recommendations are being observed and that the situation there is much improved.
