Bord na gCon (BnG) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Section 26 of the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 establishes the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) as the controlling authority for the breeding of greyhounds in Ireland. All matings are registered with the ICC in addition to litter declarations. The Irish Greyhound Stud Book is statutorily maintained by the ICC.
Pursuant to Article 3 of the Greyhound Industry (Racing) Regulations S.I. 302 of 2007, it is a requirement for a greyhound to be registered with the ICC before it can race at a Bord na gCon licensed track. Currently a greyhound first comes to the attention of BnG when it is presented for its first trial at around 13 months.
The Deputy refers to a “permitted threshold” related to the breeding of greyhounds. Article 11 of the Welfare of Greyhound Act, S.I. 29 of 2011, confines any breeder of a greyhound brood to 6 litters during the lifetime of the brood. Two additional litters are permissible under this legislation on the mandatory provision that a veterinary practitioner certifies with the ICC, that such breeding does not present a risk to the health or welfare of the brood.
BnG has informed me that it is not aware of any breach of this legislative provision, nor has any been reported in the last two years and accordingly BnG is not, nor has been involved, in any related investigatory activity. The ICC has also informed my Department that there has been no report of any breach of the limits placed on mating/litter.
My Department has no role in the monitoring or enforcement of the thresholds referred to by the Deputy.
