Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2015
110. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that the equipment for the detection of prohibited substances in racing greyhounds, located in the National Greyhound Laboratory in County Limerick, is up to date and adequate in preventing doping; if he will provide details of when the latest drug testing equipment was purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18751/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord na gCon is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of greyhound racing under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958. It has specific powers conferred on it by the Greyhound Industry (Racing) Regulations 2007, S.I. 302 2007, which set out the detailed rules under which greyhound racing is conducted.
I understand that Bord na gCon has recently conducted a review of their integrity and regulatory systems under the guidance of Professor Tim Morris (School of Veterinary Medicine & Science, University of Nottingham) with particular emphasis on sampling and analysis for the presence of prohibited substances and medication control issues.
Bord na gCon are considering the recommendations contained in Professor Morris’ report with a view to identifying any amendments that require to be made to legislation, practices and policies to ensure both the advancement of the Boards commitment to greyhound welfare, and to underpin the integrity of the Irish greyhound industry.
The scope of this report encompasses the capacity of the National Greyhound Testing Laboratory in Limerick, the general adequacy of the equipment used and the levels of testing for prohibited substances. The objective is to ensure that Bord na gCon will conform with the best international practice.
I understand from BNG that in addition to testing samples at the National Greyhound Testing Laboratory in Limerick, they also send samples for analysis to an appropriate laboratory in the UK as required from time to time.
The purchasing of laboratory equipment is an operational matter for BNG.
