Agriculture Committee to discuss greyhound welfare

The agenda for the meeting is as follows:

(i)  Pre-legislative scrutiny on the General Scheme of the Greyhound Industry Bill 2017 [Representatives from the Irish Council against Bloodsports and the Greyhound Rescue Association of Ireland]; and

(ii) Issues relating to the Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme [Representatives from the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland]

Committee Chair, Pat Deering TD, said: “Tomorrow’s meeting will commence with a resumption of Pre-legislative Scrutiny on the general scheme of the Greyhound Industry Bill 2017. The draft legislation aims to strengthen governance, improve regulation and protect the welfare of greyhounds. Greyhounds are often dumped or destroyed when they are deemed to be too old or unsuccessful to race. Shelters are packed with unwanted greyhounds and the Department of Agriculture has acknowledged that there are many welfare incidents relating to these animals.  There is also a significant issue around greyhounds being shipped to China from Ireland. Greyhound welfare must be a crucial part of this legislation and Committee Members will be keen to discuss how welfare can be effectively integrated into the legislation in order to protect these animals.”

“In the second part of our meeting, we will discuss issues relating to the Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme, with representatives from the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland. The Scheme makes €150 million available to farmers throughout Ireland at low-cost interest rates of 2.95%.”

Read the General Scheme of the Greyhound Industry Bill 2017 here: http://agriculture.gov.ie/legislation/horsegreyhound-legislation/

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