Madam, – I wish to take issue with a number of points raised by Des Groome (July 6th).
Mr Groome refers to “a significant over-production problem” in the greyhound sector, before stating that the breeding and sale of greyhounds is “thriving”. Anybody with even a very basic understanding of economics would acknowledge that these two statements cannot possibly be reconciled, given the relationship between supply and demand. Mr Groome quite rightly points out that “the best remedy for oversupply is to discourage breeding”.
Greyhound breeders would appear to be one step ahead of him in this regard, however, given that we have seen litter numbers fall year on year, for the past five years. Projections for this year appear to indicate a reduction of 40 per cent from the peak.
Mr Groome adds that “it is notable there is an absence of greyhound trainers or breeders sticking their heads up to plead penury”. The IGOBF is the national representative body for greyhound owners and breeders, and is statutarily recognised as such, given our position as a nominating body in Seanad elections.
On May 11th, in Leinster House, we were granted a hearing in relation to the proposed Dog Breeding Establishments Bill, by the Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. We provided the committee with a detailed written submission which outlined the costs associated with the production of a racing greyhound and clearly illustrated that this cost is on average supplemented by the breeder to the tune of over €700 per dog. This figure goes some way towards explaining why it is that over 70 per cent of greyhound breeders breed only one litter per annum.
There has been much comment in the media and elsewhere, as to why greyhound breeders are adamant that the welfare of the greyhound would be best served by amendments to the Greyhound Industry Act rather than inclusion in the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill. Section 47 of the Greyhound Industry Act allows for the imposition of an exclusion order, to prohibit a person guilty of an offence from attending any greyhound track, coursing meeting or sale of greyhounds. Where a person should be convicted of an offence under the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill, the imposition of further sanction under the Greyhound Industry Act might possibly be subject to legal challenge.
The sensible decision to amend the Greyhound Industry Act sees this significant deterrent remain in place. The IGOBF would welcome the swift publication of these amendments by the Department of Agriculture, and we look forward to the implementation of both pieces of legislation to safeguard the welfare of dogs of all breeds. – Yours, etc,