Brexit negotiations vital for Tipperary greyhound owners and trainers in shaping industry’s future

Published: Mon 22 Oct 2018, 8:25 AM

Last updated: Mon 22 Oct 2018, 9:25 AM

The next four weeks of Brexit negotiations are vital for the future of 12,000 people gaining economic benefit from the greyhound industry, the National Greyhound Consultative Forum has heard.

A representative from the Brexit unit at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine recently addressed the Forum on the issue.

824 owners and 63 trainers are currently operating in Tipperary, according to a report published by economist Jim Power on the industry’s financial and economic significance last year.

The Forum heard that breeders and owners have been significantly affected by the depreciation in sterling, as 85% of greyhounds in the UK are imported from Ireland.

CEO of the Irish Greyhound Board, Gerard Dollard, commented: “The economic impact of the greyhound industry currently totals some €300 million nationwide. More than 7,850 greyhound owners and trainers operate throughout the country, including 887 in Tipperary. The industry is uniquely reliant on the UK market as other markets do not currently exist. Engaging with stakeholders throughout the industry on Brexit in the coming weeks and months, as the IGB and the Department did at the recent Forum, should help address the uncertainty within the industry and deliver on a workable framework post Brexit.”

He added: “There is going to be change throughout almost all sectors in Ireland post Brexit. The greyhound industry is no different. The key for ourselves, our stakeholders and the Department of Agriculture is that we absolutely minimise the amount of red tape that will be put in place in regards to the movement of dogs on both sides of the Irish Sea. This applies particularly for greyhounds being exported from here to the UK, which provides a huge financial boost to greyhound breeders throughout Tipperary and the rest of the country.”

4,360 Irish-bred greyhounds have been bred to race in the UK so far in 2018, with 127 greyhounds being imported to race in Ireland from the UK in this calendar year.