Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 November 2013
146. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the request from the Irish Draught Horse Society to seek the licence for the studbook of the Irish draught horse (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48522/13]
View answerI am aware of the recommendation of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
The Department has recently considered an application to maintain a studbook for the Irish Draught horse breed from the Irish Draught Horse Society Ltd. This application has been refused as my Department is satisfied that approval of a second Studbook would dilute the genetic pool of elite breeding stock and dissipate the scarce available resources to promote the breed’s future development.
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is currently approved by my Department under the relevant legislation to maintain the Irish Draught Horse Studbook. HSI has been proactive in ensuring the breeding objectives and the breeding programme for the breed are appropriate, having already taken on board the views of breeders.
In 2008, HSI appointed a Task Force to advise on the appropriate breeding strategy for the Irish Draught Horse. The Task Force included representatives of Irish Draught breeders which were chosen by HSI for their knowledge of Irish Draught breeding and relevant organizations were also invited to contribute. The review included lengthy consultation with all involved in the industry and the Irish Draught Breeding Policy was published in 2010.
This year, Horse Sport Ireland has initiating a further review of its Irish Draught breeding policy in order to determine the effectiveness of the current policy and to make any amendments to the breeding programme which would be in the best interest of the breed. To assist this process, I understand that an Irish Draught Breeding Policy Review Taskforce is reviewing matters such as the breeding objective for the Studbook, the classification system, the inspection system and suggestions for studbook initiatives to improve the quality and marketing of the breed.
This forum is providing a significant opportunity for organizations like the Irish Draught Horse Society to offer its views and advice on future policies and strategies to preserve the breed. The Task Force is the appropriate forum to raise views regarding the adequacy of present policies towards the preservation of the breed. This Taskforce has held one meeting in October 2013 and a second meeting is being held in the next few days. I understand the Society was invited to be involved in this process.
