Veterinary Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Veterinary Ireland

Date published 20 Sep, 2017

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 May, 2017 to 31 Aug, 2017

Specific Details Invitation to Veterinary Ireland to make Submission on the Heads of the Greyhound Industry Bill 2017

Intended results Veterinary Ireland would like to see a more proactive approach to prevention of animal cruelty and welfare in the proposed legislation. That in order to protect the welfare of the greyhound from cradle to grave the export of greyhounds is controlled under legislation. That the legal and humane euthanising and disposal of greyhounds is controlled under legislation The introduction of a breeder scheme, such as within the sport horse industry, would help to ensure only quality greyhounds are used for breeding and hence reduce the wastage and number of failed greyhounds ending up in pounds and greyhound rescue centres That the veterinary position(s) on the proposed Greyhound Racing Control Committee be filled by an active veterinary practitioner who is on the Veterinary Council of Ireland’s Register of Veterinary Practitioners, and who is therefore required to undertake Continuing Veterinary Education (CVE) under the Veterinary Council of Ireland’s Mandatory CVE Regulations. That in order to protect the health and welfare of greyhounds, that the proposed legislation include specific criteria on breeding - A bitch must not be mated before the age of 18 months or beyond the age of 7 years. She should not conceive more than one litter per year. That any proposed legislation permit Authorised Officers, where they have reasonable concerns over disease or welfare, be given the legislative power to seize all or any at risk greyhounds. That amendments be made to the proposed legislation in order to clarify and reinforce the importance of the keeping of up-to-date medication and veterinary treatment record books for each greyhound in accordance with SI 310/2016 of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 and to support the inclusions of 2A and 2B under Head 14. That the racing sanctions and minimal penalties in the proposd legislation be increased to prevent animal cruelty including the misuse of prohibited and controlled substances in the greyhound industry. Veterinary Ireland would like to see further action taken to improve the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011. Penalty notices issued by authorised officers should be enforceable and the greyhound industry must take responsibility for each greyhound from the cradle to the grave. Responsible breeding should be promoted and increased support given to the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust and other rescues and welfare organisations tasked with rehoming failed and retired greyhounds.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Finbarr Murphy, Chief Executive, Veterinary Ireland.

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (2-5)

Letter of 31st May with attached Veterinary Ireland Submission on the Heads of the Greyhound Industry Bill 2017

Email (2-5)

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Pat Deering TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)