Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
1154. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 439 of 28 March 2017 regarding greyhound exports, the specific countries which do and do not provide the expected levels of greyhound care and management as defined in the IGB's Code of Practice; and the position of China and Pakistan in this regard. [19344/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord na gCon is a commercial state body, established in 1958 under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Bord na gCon’s position with regard to greyhound welfare is illustrated by its commitment to and enforcement of welfare regulations in Ireland.
Bord na gCon has informed me that it has no control of events outside the jurisdiction of Ireland and has no statutory function regarding the regulation of greyhound exports. However, Bord na gCon advises all owners involved in the export of greyhounds to only export to destinations that provide the expected levels of greyhound care and management as defined within Bord na gCon’s Code of Practice.
Bord na gCon have informed me that it is an active member of the International Greyhound Welfare Forum (membership of this Forum includes representatives from Dogs Trust, ISPCA, Blue Cross) and it is expected that the members of this Forum will, in the near future, make recommendations as to suitable destinations where greyhounds may be exported to.
