Press release
McConalogue announces a public consultation on surgical artificial insemination in greyhounds
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D, has announced the opening of a public consultation on whether surgical artificial insemination in greyhounds should be banned.
The Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) announced in April 2024 that it had updated its Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Practitioners to prohibit veterinarians from carrying out surgical artificial insemination in dogs due to ethical and welfare considerations. However, this new prohibition does not apply to greyhounds, as the practice is provided for in legislation (the Artificial Insemination of Greyhound Regulations 2005). This raises the question as to whether or not the legislation should be updated to ban surgical artificial insemination in greyhounds also.
The Minister said
“Animal welfare is a priority for me and for the Government. I recognise that the recent changes to the rules on vets carrying out surgical artificial insemination in dogs have raised concerns among many people as to why this practice is no longer allowed in all other dog breeds, but is still allowed in greyhounds. That is why I want to hear people’s views on this topic, and I encourage all those with an opinion on this practice in greyhounds to make a submission.”
In order to hear from stakeholders on this issue, a public consultation is now being launched. The question is: should the practice of carrying out surgical artificial insemination in greyhounds be banned or not? Stakeholders are invited to submit their views on this to animalwelfareconsultation@agriculture.gov.ie by 26th July 2024.
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
Surgical artificial insemination in dogs involves administering a general anaesthetic to the dog and surgically incising into the abdomen to inject semen into the recipient’s uterus. This contrasts with transvaginal artificial insemination techniques in dogs, which do not involve an act of surgery.