Vol. 504 No. 7
177 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the national or European regulations, if any, relating to the operation of horse breeding societies and stud books, with particular reference to inspections and approval of horses; and, if so, if they are available to the public and horse breeders. [12908/99]
The statutory regulations relating to the operation of horse breeding societies are those relating to the approval and operation of stud books. The approval of stud books is regulated under the European Communities (Equine Stud-Book and Competition) Regulations, 1993, Statutory Instrument No. 305 of 1993. These regulations, which give legal effect to Council Directives 90/427/EEC and 90/428/EEC and Commission Decisions 92/216/EEC, 92/353/EEC, 92/354/EEC, 93/623/EEC, 96/78/EC and 96/79/EC, set out, among other things, the criteria which a body must meet if it is to maintain an officially recognised stud-book.
With reference to inspections and approval of horses, the criteria for entry and registration in stud books for breeding purposes is set out in Commission Decision 96/78/EC while provisions relating to the division of stud books and breed characteristics are to be found in the annex to Commission Decision 92/353/EEC.
Copies of Statutory Instruments, Council Directives and Commission Decisions may be obtained from the Government Publications Sale Office, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.
