Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2006
500 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of applications she has received from a society (details supplied) to have its licence renewed since 1998; her response to these applications; if the society’s licence has been renewed; if not, the reason therefor; the body or organisation which currently holds the society’s stud book; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25534/06]
View answerUnder the provisions of the European Communities (Equine Stud-Book and Competition) Regulations 2004 (SI No. 399 of 2004) I am empowered to grant approval to organisations seeking to maintain a stud-book subject to the applicant satisfying the criteria for approval. Prior to the introduction of SI No. 399 of 2004, such approvals were granted under the European Communities (Equine Stud-Book and Competition) Regulations 1993 (S.I. No. 305 of 1993).
Since 1998 I have received two applications for approval from the organisation named by the Deputy. With regard to the first application (dated 23rd April 2004), after having considered all the material relevant to this application, my Department wrote to the applicant Society on 22nd June 2005, in accordance with the provisions of SI No. 399 of 2004, informing the Society of my intention to refuse the application. The reasons for the intended refusal were set out in this letter as is required under SI No. 399 of 2004 and the applicant was afforded 14 days to make representations or have representations made on its behalf. On 29th August 2005 my Department wrote again to the applicant Society informing it that having had regard to a representation received from the Society in the interim, I decided in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Equine Stud-Book and Competition) Regulations 2004 (SI No. 399 of 2004), to refuse to grant the approval sought by the Society. The reasons for the refusal were set out in the letter dated 29th August 2005. In summary the application did not satisfy the criteria for approval. The Society was also informed in this letter that it could re-apply for approval as a stud-book keeping organisation and advised that it should address the issues leading to the refusal prior to re-applying.
The Society submitted a second fresh application for approval to maintain a stud-book dated 13th April 2006. Officials from my Department have written to the Society seeking additional information in support of the application and a reply is awaited from the Society. The application cannot be progressed until this information is provided.
The Society named by the Deputy continues to operate its own studbook although it is no longer approved by me as a stud-book keeping organisation. When the application for approval submitted by the Society (in 2004) was refused this resulted in there being no organisation approved to maintain the studbook of origin for this breed. It is not a requirement for the studbook of origin to be held in the country to which the breed originated. For example, the studbook of origin for the Anglo Arab breed is held in France, yet this breed is not native to France. It is was against this background that the relevant Competent Authority in Germany approved the European Coloured Horse Association as the Studbook of Origin (for the horse in respect of which the Society named by the Deputy has sought approval) until 31st December 2007 on condition that the status as Studbook of Origin would be handed back to Ireland, subject to an Irish organisation being approved for this purpose.
As I have already outlined approvals are granted to organisations to maintain studbooks in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Equine Stud-Book and Competition) Regulations 2004 (SI No. 399 of 2004). I support and encourage the establishment of studbooks. They can play a key role in breed preservation and breed improvement. Approved studbooks also discharge the very important function of issuing identification documents for equines registered in their studbook. Given the foregoing I trust you will understand that it is only those applicants who satisfy the criteria for approval who can be granted approval to maintain a studbook.
