Animal Welfare

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McConalogue announces a public consultation on whether surgical artificial insemination in greyhounds should be banned.

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.

This public consultation opened on 5th January and closed on 16th February 2024.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine would like to thank everyone who responded to this consultation.

Below is a summary of the outcome of this consultation.

A total of 388 submissions were received.

In Support of the Ban (61%)

236 submissions supported the ban.

These included submissions from members of the public, the commercial and public sectors, animal welfare charities, advocacy groups, veterinary representatives and professionals working with dogs.

Submissions in support of the ban included such factors as the negative impact on animal welfare resulting from use of such devices and scientific evidence supporting the use of alternative methods to manage behaviour that do not negatively impact the welfare of the dog.

Not in Support of the Ban (39%)

152 submissions were received not in support of the ban.

These included submissions from members of the public, animal welfare charities, advocacy groups, the farming, commercial and public sectors, veterinary representatives and professionals working with dogs.

Submissions not in support of the ban included such factors as increased risk of livestock attacks and the experience of dog owners who have found these devices to be effective when used correctly.

Outcome of Public Consultation

On May 7th, 2024, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D, announced his intention to ban the use of electronic shock collars operated by a hand-held remote control on dogs and cats. In order to address points submitted during the public consultation, this Regulation will provide for those currently using one of these shock collars to register their dog’s details with the Department and continue to use the collar for the lifetime of that dog. The Regulation will also provide for exemptions allowing use of these devices in deaf dogs. Further details can be found here: gov - McConalogue announces decision to ban the use of remotely-controlled electronic shock collars on dogs and cats (www.gov.ie).

Under the European Communities (Approval and Registration of Dealers of Bovine Animals and Swine) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 151 of 2007) and the European Communities (Approval and Registration of Dealers of Ovine Animals) Regulations 2008 (S.I.100 of 2008) all dealers engaged in the buying and selling of animals must be registered.

In the case of cattle and pigs a dealer is defined as a person who purchases and sells to another person within a period of 30 days. A person who buys and resells within 30 days less than 100 cattle in any 12 month period will be excluded from the requirements to be approved as a dealer.

In the case of sheep a dealer is defined as a person who purchases and sells to another person within a period of 29 days. A person who buys and resells within 29 days less than 100 sheep in any 12 month period will similarly be considered to be excluded from the requirements to be approved as a dealer.

All dealers engaged must be approved and registered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. It is not permitted for a person to buy/acquire/source an animal from or sell/supply/dispose of an animal to a dealer unless the dealer is approved, registered and in possession of a current approval number under the aforementioned legislation. In addition if a dealer is assembling/holding animals, he/she must have premises, which has been approved for that specific purpose.

However, the following exemptions apply:

A person who resides outside the State, who buys animals in the State on his or her own account;

A person, who selects or bids for animals (on a commission or per head basis) exclusively on behalf of others (e.g. dealers, factories, or private individuals) but who does not buy and pay for the animals, is excluded from the definition of a dealer and therefore is not required to be approved as a dealer.

The legislation requires those who register as dealers and to comply with arrangements relating to the welfare and transport of animals, standards and the upkeep of premises, keeping of records and compliance with animal notification and disease testing procedures.

Each dealer must make a written application for approval and registration as a dealer in respect of each premises used for his/her dealing operations. The written application(s) shall be made to the local District Veterinary Office (DVO) of the Department in which the premises are situated. (See list of DVOs at appendix 1B). If the application is for approval as dealer without premises, the written application should be made to the DVO in the County where the dealer is resident or carries out most of the dealing operations. Two passport photographs of the dealer signed and stamped by the local Garda or Peace Commissioner must accompany each application.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Animal Welfare Grants provide financial support to registered animal welfare charities to assist in delivery of animal care and animal welfare services. Please refer to the 2025 Animal Welfare Grants Call for Applications, document, before starting the grant application process. If you have any queries, please contact WelfareGrants@agriculture.gov.ie

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• S.I. No 63 of 2015 Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015
• S.I. No 427 of 2015 Microchipping of Dogs (Amendment) Regulations 2015