Revision Of Text

evised

ext

This is a revision of the orginal report by Mr. Franz Fischler, the European Union Commissioner for Food, Fisheries and Agriculture. This text has benn taken directly from a document obtained from the Minstry Of Agriculture in Dublin.

Sub-Measure (C):
Development of the Greyhound Industry
(revised text)
BACKGROUND
Greyhound breeding and rearing is an integral part of rural life in Ireland and while it is a relatively small sector of Irish agriculture as a whole, it is an important element in the countries livestock sector. It is primarily carried on by the agricultural community to augment the earnings of small farmers, agricultural sector employees and rural dwellers.
The profile of a typical Irish Breeder is that of a small farmer or rural dweller who keeps one, two or three dams for breeding purposes; who then sells some of the puppies produced at eight to twelve weeks old to other farmers and rears the balance of the litter to racing age.
The greyhounds are then raced to demonstrate their capabilities for sale or export purposes. Development of the Industry has been restricted due to the relatively low profitability for the primary producer in Greyhound breeding and rearing and lack of funds to bring about improvements in the many facets of the industry which would maximise returns to breeders for effort and investment.
However, some exchequer funding has been made available in recent years, which resulted in significant initiatives being under taken to improve and develop the industry. Investment took place in four key areas.
· Capital investment to upgrade race tracks
· Marketing and promotion to attract new customers and regenerate the
industry
· Control improvements with a view to adopting new practices which
would improve the integrity and image of greyhound racing
· Re-organisation of the management of Bord na gCon

DESCRIPTION
While progress has been made in the last few years in revitalising the industry as a whole, much work still needs to be done in areas of breeding and marketing. After widespread consultation with the industry organisations, the original proposals in relation to the Quality Breeding Scheme and Marketing / Promotion measures are being revised as follows: -
Action (I): Quality Breeding Scheme £0.40Million
i. It is proposed that a series of selection races at the 18 tracks be run exclusively for bitches. Six to twelve top performers at each track would receive a breeding premium payment after registration of their first subsequent litter. This will encourage breeders to retain high quality track bitches in Ireland for breeding purposes. Depending on the greyhound population in each track area, the 6 - 12 top performers will be selected from competitions involving from 24 - 72 bitches. It is envisaged that the top-performing bitch in each competition will receive £500.00 and the other five finalists will each receive £300.00.
Indicative Budget 97 - 99 £180,000.00
ii. The integrity of the greyhound industry is of prime importance in retaining the confidence of customers in the overall controls governing the industry. While the Stud Book has built up an enviable record in this regard, it is essential that efforts to improve integrity still further are continually pursued. At present every stud dog has to provide a sample for DNA testing purposes upon registration. A small amount of selected dams and progeny are then DNA tested as required. In this regard the Stud Book Authorities propose to extend the use of DNA testing dams and progeny but the required facilities are not available at present. It is proposed to provide grant aid assistance towards the purchase of the necessary equipment and development of suitable methodology.
Indicative Budget 97 - 99 £120,000.00
GREYHOUND VETERINARY RESEARCH
In order to better the welfare of Irish Greyhounds, Bord na gCon proposes to engage the services of post graduate students from third level educational institutions to undertake a number of health / welfare research projects.
Indicative Budget 97 - 99 £66,000.00
SEMINAR / FORUMS ON GREYHOUND HUSBANDRY
It is considered that seminars are required to promote: -
· improved nutrition, husbandry and the care of greyhounds from birth
· all aspects of greyhound welfare during rearing, training for competition, racing and
post racing career
· dissemination of information more widely on all aspects of the industry
Indicative Budget 97 - 99 £34,000.00
MARKETING / PROMOTION
GRANT ASSISTANCE TOWARDS THE COST
It is proposed to carry out a detailed research into the profile, numbers of and operating methods of breeders together with a study of the quantification of exports of greyhounds. The results of this research will allow the Bord to analyse how breeders can be further assisted and how the export market can be grown using the funding receivable for sales literature, inward buyer programmes and auction initiatives.
Indicative Budget 97 - 99 £35,000.00
SALES ORGANISATION
In order to support and promote the marketing of greyhounds both for home and export, it is proposed to produce marketing aids for sales operated by Irish Greyhound Board at it's three main tracks of Dublin, Cork and Limerick, for the benefit of the greyhound industry as a whole. These will be combined with suitable sales advertising, an inward buyers' programme and improved organisation of sales in order to increase the prices paid for greyhounds and to ensure as far as practicable maximum returns directly to the primary producer. Initiatives to be undertaken include trails to be held for greyhounds being sold, new state of the art brochures and new computerised database. It is also envisaged that monies will be expended on the publication of general information on the greyhound industry, sales, breeding and greyhound syndication using new media such as teletext and the Internet.
Indicative Budget 97 - 99 £360,000.00
EXPORT PROMOTION
It will be necessary to undertake exploratory missions abroad to research and cultivate new developing markets for Irish racing greyhounds in the European Union and Third countries.
Indicative Budget 97 - 99 £75,000.00