puppyalert
Well-Known Member
This rescue Animal Rescue Ireland has a history that has captured the media attention unfavourable many times over the years in the Republic of Ireland, maybe the general public in the UK may not be so aware of their history. That is a very long story that others may wish to contribute to. This rather long essay does not relate to the past history but is bang up to date relating to 2021 and the exporting of rescue dogs from the ROI to the UK by AHI. Maybe you would like to comment. I think it is unacceptable and I have asked for an explanation in an open letter to the rescue who have many supporters in the UK. Here it is.
AHI it is not acceptable to dodge your legal responsibilities. I am offering you and anyone involved in your clandestine operations the opportunity to clarify what is written.
Commodity Code Specie Class 1.20 Number of Packages Total 1.25 Number of Packages 5
0 01061900 Carnivora 1
0 01061900 Carnivora 1
0 01061900 Carnivora 1
0 01061900 Carnivora 1
0 01061900 Carnivora 1
1.1 Consignor City Name 1.5 Consigne City Name 1.5 Consignee 1.14 Date And Time Of Departure
Castleisland, Co. Kerry Aldershot 6/03/2021 12:00
Castleisland, Co. Kerry Haverfordwest 24/03/2021 10:00
Castleisland, Co. Kerry Haverfordwest 6/03/2021 12:00
Castleisland, Co. Kerry Haverfordwest 20/02/2021 12:00
Castleisland, Co. Kerry Langport 6/03/2021 12:00
Please note on the top c/p from original sent by DAFM under FOI the 5 dogs are listed as Carnivora that is the incorrect species class, it should have been entered as Canis Familiaries the correct term for Domestic Dog.
This is an open letter to seek clarification from AHI the Manager or the Chairman of Trustees to ask why when contacting DAFM under FOI were they only able to verify that AHI sent one dog to Aldershot, Hampshire, one dog to Langport, Somerset and one dog to Haverfordwest, Wales on the same date the 6th March 2021? When there were five dogs transported to Aldershot on this date and three to Langport all arriving on the 7th March 2021. Legally all eight dogs should all have been entered into TRACES that were exported to Greyhounds4U (5) and Ruston Dog Rescue at Freedom Farm (3). I am discounting Haverfordwest at the moment.
The holding rescue (AHI) in the ROI has to Registered with DAFM and be Registered on TRACES and Revenue for an import/export number. AHI has to give Pre notification on IPAFFS (Import of Products Animal Food and Feed System) UK equivalent to TRACES and the provision of relevant certification (EHC) Export Health Certification issued by DAFM. They are required to secure the services of a GB based importer who will need to Register with IPAFFS and submit advance notification of the import to IPAFFS. This notification must be submitted 24 hours before the arrival of the animals in GB.
Following the pre-notification on IPAFFS by the UK importer a unique Notification number (UNN) is generated. The UK importer will have to give this (UNN) to the Irish exporter who must in turn give it to the certified official vet (OV) in Ireland for inclusion in the EHC Export Health Certificate. Exporters will continue to apply for Export Health Certificates (EHC) through the Regional Veterinary Office (RVO).
As DAFM (FOI) were only able to find a record of 2 dogs transported on the 6th March 2021 (1 to Aldershot and 1 to Langport) that were entered into TRACES from AHI. What happened to the other 6 dogs that were exported by AHI on the same date to the same rescues in the UK? The dogs were transported by the same transporter with Authorisation 2 located in the ROI that DAFM can find no trace of that arrived at both premises in the UK? Why were these 6 dogs not entered into TRACES? Did the (RVO) only inspect 2 dogs and issue a Export Health Certificate for just 2 dogs and was not aware of the other 6 dogs that travelled to the UK at the same time from AHI? What was their status? What about the transporter did he not check the paperwork and question what he was given compared with the dogs he loaded onboard?
What of the recipient rescues Greyhounds4U and Rushton they must have been aware of the situation too with only one dog each having been imported legally and the rest not.
This clandestine operation is unacceptable and illegal as it is involving three rescues, vets (OV) (RVO) and a transporter all have had some part to play. In addition the Manager of AHI who is fully aware and the Trustees who are not taking their role seriously by clamping down on illegal activity within their Charity. They too cannot be oblivious to the clandestine operations of the rescue, in the past there has been enough media publicity with tax avoidance, revenue and code red with the equines in addition to other matters too many to add. One would like to think the Trustees were observant and oversee all activities thoroughly, obviously not.
This matter is not to be taken lightly as AHI have again taken in a large number of greyhounds in recent days as they did in January too, will some of these follow the same clandestine route of export to the UK?
It is unlikely there will be any official response by anyone involved with AHI to give an acceptable explanation. DAFM have been made aware and DEFRA likewise due to the fact that DAFM were unable to confirm traceability for all the dogs exported and DEFRA were unable to trace any. See below.
19 March 2021
Dear Patricia James
PROVISION OF REQUESTED INFORMATION Thank you for your request for information about dog imports which we received on 08 March 2021. Your request has been handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI) The information you requested and our response is detailed below:
“Can you please advise me of the number of dogs on each transport and the dates of transports from AHI Animal Haven Ireland, Crag Castle Island Co Kerry ROI to the following (see below) inclusive of the following dates 1st January 2020 and 8th March 2021:- G4U Greyhounds 4 You, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU12 4LU Rushton Dog Rescue, Freedom Farm, Henley Langport, Somerset TA10 9BE Total number of all dogs from AHI to the UK including dates transported during the same period of time please?” Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has access to UK statistical data from the EU Commission’s Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) system, for commercial imports and exports. The information extracted from here is a true reflection of the information that we have access to. APHA cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data, as we can only rely on the information that has been input into TRACES by a third party.
We have ran a report in TRACES and have not identified any matching consignments of these imports. Information disclosed in response to this FOI request is releasable to the public. In keeping with the spirit and effect of the FOI and the government’s Transparency Agenda, this letter and the information disclosed to you may be placed on GOV.UK, together with (End)
This matter is in the public interest and as a Charity AHI has to be seen as operating legally at all times.
AHI it is not acceptable to dodge your legal responsibilities. I am offering you and anyone involved in your clandestine operations the opportunity to clarify what is written.
Commodity Code Specie Class 1.20 Number of Packages Total 1.25 Number of Packages 5
0 01061900 Carnivora 1
0 01061900 Carnivora 1
0 01061900 Carnivora 1
0 01061900 Carnivora 1
0 01061900 Carnivora 1
1.1 Consignor City Name 1.5 Consigne City Name 1.5 Consignee 1.14 Date And Time Of Departure
Castleisland, Co. Kerry Aldershot 6/03/2021 12:00
Castleisland, Co. Kerry Haverfordwest 24/03/2021 10:00
Castleisland, Co. Kerry Haverfordwest 6/03/2021 12:00
Castleisland, Co. Kerry Haverfordwest 20/02/2021 12:00
Castleisland, Co. Kerry Langport 6/03/2021 12:00
Please note on the top c/p from original sent by DAFM under FOI the 5 dogs are listed as Carnivora that is the incorrect species class, it should have been entered as Canis Familiaries the correct term for Domestic Dog.
This is an open letter to seek clarification from AHI the Manager or the Chairman of Trustees to ask why when contacting DAFM under FOI were they only able to verify that AHI sent one dog to Aldershot, Hampshire, one dog to Langport, Somerset and one dog to Haverfordwest, Wales on the same date the 6th March 2021? When there were five dogs transported to Aldershot on this date and three to Langport all arriving on the 7th March 2021. Legally all eight dogs should all have been entered into TRACES that were exported to Greyhounds4U (5) and Ruston Dog Rescue at Freedom Farm (3). I am discounting Haverfordwest at the moment.
The holding rescue (AHI) in the ROI has to Registered with DAFM and be Registered on TRACES and Revenue for an import/export number. AHI has to give Pre notification on IPAFFS (Import of Products Animal Food and Feed System) UK equivalent to TRACES and the provision of relevant certification (EHC) Export Health Certification issued by DAFM. They are required to secure the services of a GB based importer who will need to Register with IPAFFS and submit advance notification of the import to IPAFFS. This notification must be submitted 24 hours before the arrival of the animals in GB.
Following the pre-notification on IPAFFS by the UK importer a unique Notification number (UNN) is generated. The UK importer will have to give this (UNN) to the Irish exporter who must in turn give it to the certified official vet (OV) in Ireland for inclusion in the EHC Export Health Certificate. Exporters will continue to apply for Export Health Certificates (EHC) through the Regional Veterinary Office (RVO).
As DAFM (FOI) were only able to find a record of 2 dogs transported on the 6th March 2021 (1 to Aldershot and 1 to Langport) that were entered into TRACES from AHI. What happened to the other 6 dogs that were exported by AHI on the same date to the same rescues in the UK? The dogs were transported by the same transporter with Authorisation 2 located in the ROI that DAFM can find no trace of that arrived at both premises in the UK? Why were these 6 dogs not entered into TRACES? Did the (RVO) only inspect 2 dogs and issue a Export Health Certificate for just 2 dogs and was not aware of the other 6 dogs that travelled to the UK at the same time from AHI? What was their status? What about the transporter did he not check the paperwork and question what he was given compared with the dogs he loaded onboard?
What of the recipient rescues Greyhounds4U and Rushton they must have been aware of the situation too with only one dog each having been imported legally and the rest not.
This clandestine operation is unacceptable and illegal as it is involving three rescues, vets (OV) (RVO) and a transporter all have had some part to play. In addition the Manager of AHI who is fully aware and the Trustees who are not taking their role seriously by clamping down on illegal activity within their Charity. They too cannot be oblivious to the clandestine operations of the rescue, in the past there has been enough media publicity with tax avoidance, revenue and code red with the equines in addition to other matters too many to add. One would like to think the Trustees were observant and oversee all activities thoroughly, obviously not.
This matter is not to be taken lightly as AHI have again taken in a large number of greyhounds in recent days as they did in January too, will some of these follow the same clandestine route of export to the UK?
It is unlikely there will be any official response by anyone involved with AHI to give an acceptable explanation. DAFM have been made aware and DEFRA likewise due to the fact that DAFM were unable to confirm traceability for all the dogs exported and DEFRA were unable to trace any. See below.
19 March 2021
Dear Patricia James
PROVISION OF REQUESTED INFORMATION Thank you for your request for information about dog imports which we received on 08 March 2021. Your request has been handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI) The information you requested and our response is detailed below:
“Can you please advise me of the number of dogs on each transport and the dates of transports from AHI Animal Haven Ireland, Crag Castle Island Co Kerry ROI to the following (see below) inclusive of the following dates 1st January 2020 and 8th March 2021:- G4U Greyhounds 4 You, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU12 4LU Rushton Dog Rescue, Freedom Farm, Henley Langport, Somerset TA10 9BE Total number of all dogs from AHI to the UK including dates transported during the same period of time please?” Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has access to UK statistical data from the EU Commission’s Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) system, for commercial imports and exports. The information extracted from here is a true reflection of the information that we have access to. APHA cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data, as we can only rely on the information that has been input into TRACES by a third party.
We have ran a report in TRACES and have not identified any matching consignments of these imports. Information disclosed in response to this FOI request is releasable to the public. In keeping with the spirit and effect of the FOI and the government’s Transparency Agenda, this letter and the information disclosed to you may be placed on GOV.UK, together with (End)
This matter is in the public interest and as a Charity AHI has to be seen as operating legally at all times.
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O Donoghue and thers
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