Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2018
42. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to strengthen welfare regulations in the puppy farming industry here in view of a recent announcement by the UK Parliament on tightening legislation, including on cross-border sales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6853/18]
View answerI am aware that DEFRA have begun a consultation process on proposals to introduce a ban on commercial third party sales of puppies and kittens in England, the outcome of which is not expected until later in the year. The UK proposals are a matter of consultation so it is too early to speculate as to what their detailed impact on the sector in Ireland might be other than to note that the focus of the consultation document appears to be on methods of sale and not the issue of breeding or rearing.
The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 has general powers in relation to animals which places a duty of care upon all animal owners and handlers. However the activity in question is directly legislated for by the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 which also has welfare as a central focus. This Act is the responsibility of the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the individual Local Authorities in whose functional area any establishment is located.
The need to safeguard animal welfare is one of the main reasons for which local Authorities have the power to refuse authorisation or to issue Improvement Notices of Closure Notices. Such notices carry a right of appeal to the court system, which in some cases has been successfully used by establishment proprietors.
The information available to me is that in the great majority of cases, such establishments operate without giving rise to serious animal welfare concerns. Where serious deficiencies are found and the relevant local authority takes action it is also then the remit of the court system to deal with specific cases.
