Clare Daly
Question:1182. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a 1% foal levy at the point of sale to replace the current system. [19332/19]
View answerWednesday, 8 May 2019
Questions (1182)
Written answers
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
HRI's Foal Levy Committee reviews the rates, bands and structures of the levy on an annual basis and has also considered potential alternative methodologies to calculate the levy due. They have concluded that the current banded/tiered approach represents the most equitable and appropriate way of securing the vital funds needed for the breeding sector. I understand that the majority of foals registered fall into the two lower bands of €35 and €50, and that there is a very high compliance rate of circa 98.3%.
The levy generates vital funding for the Irish Equine Centre, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association. These organisations rely on the levy funding in order to provide their services.
As such, I have no plans to alter the current arrangements for the levy.