Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 June 2016
73. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 160 of 22 March 2016, his views on seized horses and that one horse died while in his custody while legal proceedings continued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14519/16]
View answerA total of 29 horses were seized from the Wetlands/Robertshill area of Kilkenny city on 17 February 2016 as part of an An Garda Síochána led multi-agency operation (Operation Thor). Following inspection, it was established that 27 of the horses were not identified in accordance with equine identification legislation and the lands on which the horses were kept were not registered as equine premises as required by national legislation. The equines referred to were seized pursuant to the European Communities (Identification of Equidae) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 62 of 2016), which provides that equines may be seized where an authorised officer had reasonable grounds for believing that an offence was being committed under this legislation. The horses were transported from Kilkenny city to a secure Pound in accordance with national transport legislation designed to ensure the safe transport of horses.
Following the presentation of proof of ownership and evidence of equine premises registration, the Department agreed to return the two identified horses to their owners. On 17 April one of the 2 identified equines gave birth to a foal which subsequently died. On 18 April the mare was euthanised by a veterinary practitioner on welfare grounds due to her deteriorating health. I am satisfied that no action taken by the Department contributed to these events. Arrangements for the return of the mare to the owner had been in train for some time previously but this was delayed pending the identification of a suitable registered equine premises. The second identified horse was returned on 25 May to an equine premises registered holding which had recently been nominated by its owner. The 27 horses that were not identified in accordance with equine identification legislation remain in the care of the state and are subject to ongoing court proceedings.
As the Deputy is aware, the horse meat issues which were uncovered in 2013 highlighted the importance of the proper identification of equine animals to the protection of the integrity of the food chain. In this regard, it is essential that equine animals are identified in accordance with legislation in order to ensure that only those animals that are eligible to be slaughtered for human consumption are included in the food chain. In terms of protecting equine health and welfare and the integrity of the food chain information, it is important that all equine owners comply fully with equine identification and equine premises legislation.
