Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to discuss law to tackle puppy smuggling and Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027

The meeting at 5.30pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will be split into two sessions:

• 5.30pm-7pm – Post-enactment scrutiny of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 with representatives of the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA).
• 7pm-8.30pm – Discussion on Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 with officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Jackie Cahill said: “The 2013 Act revised the law relating to the health and welfare of animals and their protection and identification, and strengthened measures to prevent and deal with cruelty to animals.

“As part of the Committee’s Work Programme, Members have agreed to hold a meeting to post-enactment scrutiny of the legislation. In particular, we wish to examine the effectiveness of this piece of legislation in relation to the issue of puppy smuggling and we look forward to discussing this and related matters with the DSPCA.

“For our second session, given the importance of the CAP to Irish farmers and our agrifood sector, the Committee welcomes this opportunity to engage with officials from the Department on Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan.”

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marie has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas.ie.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.