Greyhound Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2023

Tuesday, 26 September 2023

Questions (433)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

433. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of licences issued for the burial of racing, non-coursing greyhounds, by district veterinary offices, for each of the years 2018 to 2022, in tabular form, including by district veterinary office, given that racing greyhounds are classified as farm animals and, as such, on-farm burial is required to be authorised via district veterinary offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41049/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department as the competent authority can authorise the disposal by burial of greyhounds by issuing a burial licence under the Animal By-Products legislation, Regulation (EC) No. 1069/2009. A burial licence is an authorisation to an animal owner granting them permission to bury a deceased greyhound. Therefore, it is only by issuance of a licence by the competent authority that such activity can take place.

There have been no burial licences issued for racing greyhounds for each of the years from 2018 to 2022.