Equine Identification Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014

Tuesday, 11 February 2014

Questions (488)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

488. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 480 of 17 December 2013, under what statutory authority are equine breeders being asked to pay for the costs of identification and registration of equines in view of the compulsory nature of the measures which are approved for this purpose under the terms of the relevant equine legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6309/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As previously indicated to the Deputy, the identification of equidae is governed by EU Council Directives 90/426/EEC and 90/427/EEC and Commission Regulation (EC) No 504/2008 of 6 June 2008, which have been transposed in into national legislation via S.I. No. 357 of 2011 - European Communities (Equine) Regulations 2011 (as amended). This legislation imposes an obligation and, as a corollary, any associated cost, on the owners and keepers of equines to ensure that equine animals in their possession are identified in accordance with the legislation.

The fees charged by veterinarians and Passport Issuing Organisations to individuals, in the provision of a service to identify an equine animal in accordance with the law, are commercial matters agreed between the relevant parties.