Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020
802. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhound breeders with fewer than five bitches; if there is no information on these breeders to date, if they will be included in the new traceability scheme; and if not, the reason. [40040/20]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) 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. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
In accordance with the Welfare of Greyhounds Act, 2011, any party that has four or more greyhound bitches which are older than 15 months and which have been, or are being, used for breeding purposes must register with the Irish Coursing Club, which is charged with maintaining a register of breeding establishments. This mirrors a requirement in the Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010 where parties who have six or more bitches which are older than six months and which are capable of being used for breeding purposes are required to register. You will note that a more stringent requirement is applicable to greyhounds in respect of the number of breeding bitches. The number of greyhound breeders with less than five bitches is unknown as anyone can breed a greyhound or any other breed of dog.
The new traceability system being brought forward by Rásaíocht Con Éireann is focused on traceability regarding racing greyhounds. It is intended the system will trace the life events in the life of a racing greyhound including birth, microchipping, registration, racing career, changes of ownership/trainer, location, export, retirement and end of life. Greyhounds will be tracked on the system from time of microchipping in accordance with the regulations on microchipping. i.e.12 weeks.
