Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 February 2021
354. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent by his Department in 2020 on communication and education for rules on the sale or supply of pet animals which came into effect on 1 February 2020 under the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7799/21]
View answer355. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of sellers and suppliers under the register of sellers and suppliers of pet animals; the number of premises under the register of premises; and if there has been a noted increase since the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019 were brought in. [7800/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 354 and 355 together.
The Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations (SI 681 of 2019) came into effect on 1st February 2020. To date, 318 sellers and suppliers have been entered on the Register of Sellers and Suppliers of Pet Animals in that intervening period and their premises have been entered on the Register of Premises. Extracts from the Registers (name of seller or supplier, registration number and the county of the premises used in connection with the sale and supply of pets) will be published on the Gov.ie website on 15th February.
These registrations are additional to those premises registered as Dog Breeding Establishments under that legislation.
My Department sent comprehensive information about the new Regulations to pet shops and animal welfare charities in receipt of ex gratia payments from my Department in early 2020. My Department also issued a press release on this subject, and placed an ad about the Regulations in the Irish Independent on 1st February 2020.
My Department has also published guidance on the regulations, and guidance for prospective pet owners, on Gov.ie (https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d3af4-new-rules-on-the-sale-supply-and-advertising-of-pet-animals/).
