Joint Statement on Greyhound Exports

Following a meeting between the greyhound industry, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and welfare members of the International Greyhound Forum (represented by Dogs Trust and the ISPCA), it was re-iterated that the well-being of greyhounds, including their physical and social environment, is at the core of Ireland’s greyhound industry. In particular, the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 and the associated Code of Practice clearly sets out specific standards that all individuals engaged in the care and management of registered greyhounds are expected to meet. The Code of Practice was adopted following extensive consultation with all stakeholders and the animal welfare members of the International Greyhound Forum.

It was noted that Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) has no control of events outside the jurisdiction of Ireland and emphatically does not support the export of greyhounds to destinations where the standard of care for greyhounds falls below that required under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 and / or the GRI Code of Practice. All parties present agreed to actively explore all avenues to ensure the export of greyhounds takes place only to jurisdictions with high welfare standards.

It was confirmed that the 24 greyhounds recently returned to Ireland after a failed attempt by their owner to export them to Macau were subsequently examined by a DAFM veterinary inspector and all were found to be in good physical condition.

All stakeholders present committed to working together to ensure adherence to any regulatory and statutory protection for greyhounds, and for the relevant authorities to take appropriate stringent action against those who fail to do so.