Deirdre Clune
Question:7 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he proposes to introduce legislation to regulate the trade in exotic pets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4112/01]
Other Questions. - Exotic Animals.
Noel Ahern
Question:101 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans he has to introduce legislation on the growing problem of holding, care and registration of exotic pets; if draft legislation as submitted by the DSPCA some time ago has been considered; his views on whether such legislation is necessary; when it will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4353/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 101 together.
My function in relation to exotic animals is confined to the issue of veterinary certification. Other responsibilities for such animals are shared by a number of Departments. The Office of Public Works has responsibility specifically for Dublin Zoo. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species – CITES – is under the aegis of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and the Department of the Environment and Local Government is the competent authority in relation to Council Directive 1999/22/EC of 29 March 1999 relating to the keeping of wild animals in zoos.
In view of the dispersed nature of responsibilities in this area, my Department took the initiative some time ago to set up an interdepartmental group to examine issues relating to dangerous and exotic animals in this country. While the group has held a number of meetings, it has yet to recommend how best to deal with such animals. It will in due course doubtless address the question of legislation and the appropriate authority to implement that. I am aware of the draft legislation proposed by the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and believe that it will be of interest to the group.
When does the Minister intend to bring legislation before the House on this matter? Has he any idea how many exotic animals are imported into Ireland annually? I am aware that snakes, leopards, etc., are being imported into the country. What measures are in place to ensure these animals are properly cared for?
Did the Deputy say "snakes" or "snails"?
There is no slime involved here.
The last farmer who handled snails did not last very long.
I am glad to see the Minister has come out of his shell today. Will he answer the question?
Unfortunately, the snail has delayed the construction of the Kildare bypass.
Deputy Sheehan was not able to support the last snail. The interdepartmental group mentioned includes representatives from this Department, the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and the Department of the Environment and Local Government. The group has met on two occasions. At its second meeting the group decided to invite submissions from the public on dangerous and exotic animals and the Department, in consultation with other Departments, is currently drafting a press advertisement, which will appear shortly in a range of appropriate newspapers and periodicals, to get opinions on this area because it is a difficult one and there are people with expertise in it who want to bring these pets into the country. Following that process it will be decided which Department should take responsibility for this area, if it should be a single Department.
What measures are currently in place to inspect and regulate pet shops and trade in this area?
I am not aware of any but the county council veterinary officer in each area would be entitled to inspect, as I am sure would Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development inspectors if they so wish, snakes and various other animals. It is an area that is unclear. It is like the Children Bill in the sense that it involves every Department. We intend to make sure that some decision is made and that one Department takes responsibility for it.
Dr. Upton
Are there any regulations in relation to rabies, for instance, and is there any concern about dangerous diseases being brought into the country via these exotic pets?
The Deputy will be aware that we have already rabies regulations, particularly in regard to dogs, foxes and other such animals. It had not occurred to me that these other animals may have that process as well. There is a quarantine system, as the Deputy is aware, under which people have to quarantine their dogs for six months, although that has eased somewhat in that if they get certification that the animal is rabies free, it is much easier to import the animal.
Is a licence required to import such animals? Is there a list of these animals available or is any notice taken of where they are and the number that are brought in each year?
I do not know if a licence is needed to bring them into the country but we will endeavour to find that out for the Deputy. We deal only with one section. Customs and excise would be involved as well as the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and Dublin Zoo. It is an area that does not belong to anyone. It is everyone's business but nobody's business.
Can the Minister give some indication whether individuals will be able to produce pure bred papers for these pets as was done in the case of the deer when they were brought into the country? We had an extraordinary situation where pure bred papers were being produced around the country, as far as deer were concerned, as if thousands of deer had been brought in whereas I understand only 12 deer were brought in, and we know how that led to bankruptcy in many farms. I notice the Minister has reintroduced grant aid for deer. That is something we need to be careful of because there are many farm families who will never forget their experience and the way they were led astray in that area.