Vol. 491 No. 3
195 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action, if any, his Department has taken to prevent the racing of ostriches at Punchestown on 17 May 1998, which is in contravention of Article 7 of the Council of Europe's European Convention for the Protection of Animals kept for farming purposes. [11766/98]
My Department had neither been consulted nor informed in advance by the organisers about the proposed ostrich race. On learning of it, I made clear my opposition to the race going ahead and initiated contacts with the Punchestown authorities in the matter. As the Deputy will be aware, the race was cancelled by the Punchestown authorities on foot of their contacts with the Department and the Garda. I believe that they acted responsibly in making this decision and commend them for so doing. I am happy to note that my Department's role in helping to bring about this outcome has been recognised and welcomed by a number of animal welfare groups.
