Trade in horses between member states and from member states to third countries is governed by EU rules which establish the health conditions and health certification to be applied to such animals for trade purposes.
Under trade rules in place between Ireland, France and the UK for many years, the tripartite agreement, based on a common animal health position in the equine sector, export licences are not required for trade in horses to the UK and Northern Ireland. For such export, the animals require to be individually identified via their own passports, or a current signed marking sheet. They are subject to a welfare check by an official veterinarian at the port of departure.
Export licences issued in respect of horses to other destinations in recent years were in respect of breeding, racing or jumping-sport use and export licences have not been or are not issued in respect of horses for slaughter.
This Department does not and has not issued export licences for equidae for slaughter. All equidae certified by this Department as the designated competent authority are certified for the purposes I have outlined above.
With regard to replies to correspondence received by my Department, the correspondent referred to in the question does not identify the name of the group she represents. However, I can confirm that my Department has replied to letters on this issue on 16 January 2002, 27 February 2002, 28 February 2002, and 27 March 2002.