European Union Legislation

HOUSING AND HANDLING FACILITIES
FOR ALTERNATIVE ENTERPRISES

Break Down of "The Fischler Report"

Description - This measure provides grant aid for farmers and rural dwellers for the housing and handling facilities for greyhounds where a specific need is identified.

Regional / Sectoral Coverage - The scheme applies to all rural areas of the country. The Greater Dublin area and the county boroughs of Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford are excluded from its area of application.

Objectives and Specific Targets - The aim is to encourage farmers in particular rural dwellers to develop non quota enterprises as an alternative to traditional farming produce. This scheme should attract applications from 800 for Greyhounds.

Marketing

Indicators of Progress

1. PHYSICAL INDICATORS
Greyhounds	Baseline 1989 - 1993	103
	Forecast 1994 - 1999	800
2. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS*
Employment created	volume / value of production by product category	*
	volume / value of exports by product category	*

* ACCURATE STATISTICS WILL BE COMPILED BY
   THE ANALYSIS & EVALUATION UNIT.

Development of The Greyhound Industry

Background

Greyhound breeding and rearing is an integral part of rural life in Ireland and while it is a relatively small sector of the 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.

Description

The planned measures are aimed at improving greyhound stock quality so as to respond more precisely to market needs and to enhance the returns from the market place. This is also seen as the best means of ensuring adequate and stable returns for primary producers.  A scheme of Grant Aid will be provided to encourage an improvement in the quality and range of greyhound breeding and to assist in the promotion of the sector nationally and the marketing of track greyhounds produced.

Objectives and Specific Targets

The objective of the schemes is to promote greyhound breeding and production as a viable alternative farm enterprise and is part of an overall development plan for the sector, the aims of which include:

1.	reversing the decline of the greyhound industry
2.	increasing the level and value of exports
3.	widening the customer appeal of the sport of greyhound racing and generating extra annual income in rural communities

The measure is targeted at existing greyhound breeders, trainers, rearers and other rural dwellers who might be encouraged to diversify some resources into this sector. The target is to increase the export trade and the average prices per unit as shown under "Indicators of Progress", with consequential benefits for farmers and income/employment in rural communities.

Indicators of Progress

1. PHYSICAL INDICATORS

	Baseline 1993	Forecast 1999
number of breeders	8,000	12,000
number of greyhounds exported	10,000	15,000
increased in average prices per unit	£2,000	£2,600

2. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS*

employment created
increase in volume / value of production		*
increase in volume / value of exports		*
attendance at Greyhound Meetings		*

* See Above

Levels Of Aid

Action (i):

Quality Breeding Scheme

£400,000 over a period of six years £0.40 Million

Grant assistance of up to 50% toward the acquisition of top quality sires for the purpose of making them widely available to all breeders. This will have the effect of broadening the stock base and will cater for the needs of the smaller breeder and other rural dwellers for access to top quality sires.

Action (ii):

Marketing / Promotion

£470,000 over a period of six years £0.47 Million

Grant Assistance of up to 75% toward the cost of:

         market and development research

         production seminars

         promotional and information activities

         development and implementation of marketing strategies and tactics

Total £0.87 Million

Economic Justification

The Greyhound Industry has been in decline over the last decade or so. This measure, together with aid proposed for on farm kennelling and the development of all weather track / training / regional centres is targeted at reversing this trend. Based on market research by Bord na gCon it has been established that the potential exists to expand existing markets mainly in the UK. and to develop new markets such as the USA; Australia; Asia and mainland Europe as well as South Africa.

Quality Aspects

The Irish Greyhound Board, as a member of the World Greyhound Racing Federation, continually monitors the treatment of Greyhounds exported from Ireland to ensure compliance with E.U. directive 92/65/EEC and if necessary, pursues any complaint received through the Federation. The Board concentrates on markets where the welfare of the greyhound is protected and thus where return is greatest. They have withdrawn in the past from markets where cruelty to greyhounds became an issue. At a domestic level, it is an offence under the Protection Of Animals Act, 1911 to 1965 to cause cruelty to any animal. The Gardai investigate all reported allegations of cruelty and penalties for convictions under this statute have been doubled recently. All applications for funding for marketing and breeding will be examined to ensure that animal welfare standards are not compromised.

Non Thoroughbred Greyhound Industry

Greyhound breeding and rearing is an integral part of rural life in Ireland. It is primarily carried on by the farming community and in particular on the smaller less economic holdings. Recent surveys indicate that 6,000 of the 8,000 breeders, rearers and trainers are farmers mainly with small holdings. The industry generates an estimated farm income of almost £16 Million. There are 18 greyhound racing tracks through out the country. Apart from being essential to the breeding and the production of thoroughbred greyhounds, the tracks provide the principle source of funding for the development of the industry. Some 45 greyhound race meetings take place each week in the country.

About 20,000 greyhounds are produced each year, approximately 50% are exported mostly to the UK. It is estimated that the industry is worth about £40 Million per year to the economy. Servicing the UK market together with a specifically planned market approach to the US could produce an increase in the current level of annual exports from, 10,000 to 15,000 animals. Development of the industry has been restricted due to 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. If the markets for the greyhounds to the US is to develop to its potential, facilities are required to have greyhounds for that market specifically trained and acclimatised to the American system of racing.

Objectives for The Sub Sector

The measure also aims to promote the development of the greyhound industry. Included is the provision of an international marketing centre for greyhounds which would include, inter alias, a sales arena, facilities for training greyhounds for the US market and generate better returns for the primary producers.

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