Responsibility for exotic animals is shared by a number of Departments. The Department of the Environment and Local Government is responsible for matters relating to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, CITES, and is also the competent authority in relation to the transposition and implementation of Council Directive 1999/22/EC of 29 March 1999 which concerns the keeping of wild animals in zoos. One of the measures to be taken by member states under this directive is to prevent the escape of animals in order to avoid possible ecological threats to indigenous species and to prevent the intrusion of outside pets and vermin. The Office of Public Works has responsibility for Dublin Zoo.
The area where my Department has a responsibility in relation to exotic animals is in respect of compliance with animal health regulations concerning veterinary certification at time of import and export. Provided there is compliance with veterinary rules, there can be no restriction on inter-Community trade in exotic animals. The interdepartmental group on exotic animals last met in September 1999. This is due in large measure to the fact that my Department has in the intervening period had to accord a higher priority to more pressing animal health and welfare matters. It has had to focus available resources and effort on a range of planned and unplanned issues which have arisen in this area. I hope that my Department and the other interested parties can return to the matter of exotic animals in the near future.
With regard to the suggested legislation on the keeping of exotic and dangerous wild animals drafted by the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, it should be noted that the situation with regard to the keeping of animals in zoos is now subject to the provisions of Council Directive 1999/22/EC of 29 March 1999. The Department of the Environment and Local Government is currently transposing this directive into Irish law.
