Due to trade rules in place between Ireland, France and the UK for many years, based on a common animal health position in the equine sector known as the tripartite agreement, no intra-Community export/import licences are required for the import of horses from the United Kingdom.
All horses imported from the UK are required to comply with the provisions of Council Directive 90/426/EEC on health conditions governing the movement of such animals for trade purposes and in particular Articles 4 and 5, which provide that an inspection must be carried out in the 48 hours prior to their embarkation or loading. The official veterinarian of the country of dispatch must, at the time of inspection, be satisfied that the animals have not been in contact with an infectious or contagious disease during the 15 days immediately preceding inspection.
In addition, the horses must be identified in accordance with one of the methods laid down in the directive, that is their own passports or a current signed marking sheet drawn up/signed by a veterinarian. They must also comply with Council Directive 91/628/EEC on the protection of animals during transport and be fit to travel. An animal transport certificate accompanies them on their journey. I have no plans to change these rules.
With regard to the welfare treatment of the animals once they are in this country, the principal statutes are the Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965, which are enforced by the Garda Síochána. If any person has reason to believe there has been an act of cruelty against an animal, the matter should be reported to the Garda Síochána. In the context of the Control of Horses Act 1996, the penalties for cruelty were increased to a fine of up to £1,500 and/or six months imprisonment on summary conviction; and a fine of up to £10,000 and/or two years imprisonment on conviction on indictment.