Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to hold separate engagements on vet costs and dog ownership, and with Chairperson Designate of An Rialálaí Agraibhia

The meeting at 5.30pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will be split into two sessions:

5:30pm – Impact of rising veterinary costs on dog ownership/surrenders and abandoned dogs with representatives from Veterinary Ireland, officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and officials from the Department of Rural and Community Development;

7pm – Engagement with Mr Joe Healy, Chairperson Designate, An Rialálaí Agraibhia.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Jackie Cahill said: “During the Covid pandemic and related restrictions in 2020 and 2021, there was a marked increase in dog ownership as many people and families acquired pets as company during lockdown, with a corresponding drop in the numbers of dogs being abandoned or surrendered to local authority pounds.

“However, since the return to normality and the ending of restrictions on movement and the return to schools and workplaces, there has been a marked increase in the number of dogs being surrendered or abandoned as families struggle with the costs and other consequences of owning and having responsibility for the care of a pet.

“The Committee welcomes this engagement on the impact of veterinary costs on dog ownership and the surrenders or abandoning of dogs with Veterinary Ireland and officials from the two Departments with responsibility for pet and animal welfare matters.

“In our second session, the Committee looks forward to meeting with Mr Joe Healy, the Chairperson Designate of An Rialálaí Agraibhia, the new regulatory body for the agrifoods sector. This regulator was an important element of the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022 and aims to ensure fairness and transparency in the agricultural and food supply chain, which had been long sought by farmers and small food suppliers.

“In its report following its pre-legislative scrutiny of Heads of the Bill, the Committee supported the establishment of An Rialálaí Agraibhia and called for it to be given strong powers and the ability to levy large fines for breaches of the law. The Committee looks forward to a wide-ranging discussion with Mr Healy on his strategic priorities for the role and his vision for how An Rialálaí Agraibhia will operate during his term of office.”

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.