I assume that the question relates, in the main, to horses. My Department has responsibility for the identification, health and welfare of animals kept for farming purposes and in this regard there are strict procedures in place relating to the identification of all farmed animal species, including equines. With regard to identification of equines, my Department has introduced enhanced rules governing equine identification through SI No 357 of 2011 and SI No 371 of 2012 which give effect to European Commission Regulation (EC) No 504/2008. The legislation requires horse owners to ensure that all horses have a passport and that foals be identified before 31 December of the year of birth or within six months of birth, whatever date is the later. Passports are issued by an approved Passport Issuing Organisation.
All equines issued with a passport after 1 July 2009 must have a corresponding microchip implanted by a veterinarian. The microchip number is recorded on the passport and creates a link between the passport and the equine. The microchips are supplied by the Passport Issuing Organisation to the veterinarians and contain markers that are specific to the issuing body. During the processing of the passports, the number on the microchip is recorded on the database of the Passport Issuing Organisation and the microchip implanted in the equine may be scanned and the number verified with the issuing organisation. When there is a change of ownership of an equine, there is a mechanism in place whereby this change is recorded on the passport and on the database of the Passport Issuing body.
My Department also introduced new regulations on the registration of horse premises in January 2012 such that, from May 2012, anyone who is the owner/person in charge of any premises on which horses are kept is required to register the premises with the Department. The introduction of these regulations will play an important role in bringing greater accountability to horse issues and should be of assistance to the local authorities, the Gardai Síochána and Department personnel in the years ahead. My Department is also developing a central database of horses which will involve migration of selected data from Passport Issuing Organisations to the Department. The intention is that this database will be used to verify the authenticity of the passport for the equine presented at various events and locations.
The operation of Local Authority Pounds is a matter for the respective Local Authorities. My Department makes a financial contribution to the activities carried out by Local Authorities under the Control of Horses Act, 1996, which provides extensive powers to Local Authorities, including the making of bye-laws for the control and welfare of stray or abandoned horses in a Local Authorities’ functional area. Officials of my Department have ongoing contact with Local Authorities to underline how enforcement of the Act can assist with controlling horses and reducing the emergence of horse welfare problems. This includes a requirement that Local Authorities ensure that horses reclaimed or re-homed under the Act are identified pursuant to the European Commission Regulation (EC) No 504/2008 and have microchip, passport (and horse licence if appropriate) prior to being reclaimed or re-homed. My Department has advised the Local Authorities, when re-homing horses, to heed the advice of the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (which comprises representatives from a wide range of stakeholder organisations including farming, equine and welfare bodies) which advocates that where an owner can no longer provide for a horse, he or she should seek to dispose of the animal before its welfare is compromised - including consideration of the option of humane disposal where the horse cannot be sold/transferred to another responsible owner as such action will help prevent the emergence of long-term welfare problems.
Other initiatives I have taken in the equine area include the progression of the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which, when adopted, will apply in a wide range of situations affecting the welfare of all animals, including horses.
