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Greyhound Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 October 2016

Wednesday, 5 October 2016

Questions (210, 211)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

210. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to reports of the cruel mistreatment in China of greyhounds that have been sent from Ireland, including some dogs being boiled alive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28897/16]

View answer

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

211. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will immediately halt the transporting and trading of greyhounds from Ireland to China due to the cruel treatment that these dogs experience in transit to China and once they reach there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28898/16]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.

I am aware of recent media reports alleging mistreatment of dogs including greyhounds in China. Nine greyhounds were exported from Ireland to that destination earlier this year. There is no evidence to suggest that any of these greyhounds were mistreated. However, on foot of these exports, officials of my Department met with Bord na gCon, the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) and the welfare members of the International Greyhound Forum (represented by the ISPCA and the Dogs Trust) to consider all the issues surrounding the export of greyhounds. IGB regulates the greyhound industry in the Republic of Ireland and has advised all persons involved in the export of greyhounds to only export to destinations that provide the expected levels of care and management as defined in the IGB's Code of Practice for the welfare of greyhounds. I strongly endorse this view.

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