Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2013
557. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the number of horses slaughtered in abattoirs each year here since 2008; if he has received any statistics from the local authorities on horses slaughtered in abattoirs that are under their supervision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2945/13]
View answerThe number of horses slaughtered in plants approved by my Department in each of the years since 2008 was as follows:
2008 – 2,002;
2009 – 3,220;
2010 – 7,296;
2011 – 12,575;
2012 – 11,451.
I understand from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland that the following numbers of horses were slaughtered in local authority approved slaughter plants:
2008 – 44*
2009 – 1,027;
2010 – 2,494;
2011 – 4,985;
2012 – 12,444 (provisional figure).
(* Included in miscellaneous category, total 44)
