Relevant Matter
Legislation
Public Policy Area
Agriculture
Period
1 Jan, 2017 to 30 Apr, 2017
Specific Details
Veterinary Ireland - Veterinary Ireland Submission to the Public Consultation on the Review of Dog Breeding Establishment Guidelines
Intended results
For the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015 to be redrafted to reinstate the requirement that puppies below 12 weeks of age that are not in compliance with the Regulations can only leave their place of birth to go to a registered veterinary premises which are inspected, regulated and have the required hygiene standards to ensure these potentially unvaccinated puppies are not exposed to any undue health risks.
That the Dog Breeding Establishments Guidelines be re-written under a Statutory Instrument (SI), ensuring compliance and facilitating the allocation of penalties up to and including prosecution, when necessary.
A full revision of the Dog Breeding Establishment Act, in order to expand and improve the Act, to ensure that all puppies produced in Ireland meet a high standard in terms of health, welfare and socialisation, producing the well-rounded family pets of the future.
If significant improvements are implemented, a reduction in government public spending is foreseen.
In the context of an overall review of the Dog Breeding Establishment Act, the Veterinary Ireland submission would be of much wider scope and includes key measures such as:
- Reducing the number of bitches that require a Premises to register under the Act from 6 bitches to 3 btiches.
- Bitches should not give birth to more than 5 litters each. Bitches should be at least 18 months of age before they have their first litter, and should be retired by 7 years of age.
- Limiting overall size of DBEs – many DBEs do not have the facilities or the staff to cater for many pups, bitches or dogs.
- Separate and detailed Statutory Instruments for; 1. Boarding and Hunting Kennels; 2. Commercial Dog Breeding Establishments; 3. Dog Animal Rescue Centres.
- Regulations concerning breeding of animals with extreme features that contribute to poor health and reduced quality of life (e.g. the Pug breed).
- The ratio of bitches to Full-Time Equivalents is totally inadequate (currently 30:1) and takes no account of the number of puppies or stud dogs on site or ancillary tasks required under the DBE and Animal Health and Welfare Acts outside of cleaning and feeding dogs. Veterinary Ireland recommends a 10:1 ratio.
- The Veterinary Health plan needs to be prescriptive and can be included as an Annex. Veterinary Ireland are happy to contribute to this.
- Evacuation, Veterinary, Staffing, Vermin Control and Feeding plans should all be written, computerised and available for inspection.
- Record keeping should be prolonged for 10 years to cover the lifetime of offspring. Many inherited diseases in dogs do not manifest themselves until old age, so this provision would be of great value for breeding programmes.
- Guiding principles for isolation facilities and pictorials to educate breeders on signs of different dog behaviours provided by Veterinary Ireland be utilised to provide education and guidance.
- That all records must be computerised to ensure ease of access to Veterinary Inspectors, for assessment.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Peter Bishton, Deputy 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.
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.
Simon Coveney
Minister (Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government)