Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021
679. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans in place to improve animal welfare legislation and put in place additional protection measures particularly in reference to the control of horses, following a number of incidents in Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56043/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government places a positive emphasis on animal welfare and specifically commits to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
This Act provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare and replaced a number of enactments dating back over a century. The Act was passed, after a lengthy and constructive debate in both Houses of the Oireachtas and came into operation on 6th March 2014.
I am committed to the continued implementation of the Act which is effective and fit for purpose.
My Department enforces the law in this important area along with An Garda Síochána, the Customs service, and authorised officers from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and our courts regularly adjudicate on the issue of unnecessary suffering in cases brought before them.
The Control of Horses Act 1996 provides powers to local authorities enabling them to control stray and wandering horses in their areas. Enforcement of the Act is a matter for each Local Authority, and they have powers under the act to appoint authorised officers within their area.
Efforts to reduce the number of stray horses are paying off. 817 horses were seized nationally in 2020, down significantly from a peak of 4,923 in 2014.
Figures provided by Cork City and County Councils for the same period show a reduction in horse seizures from 263 in 2014 to 47 in 2020.
The Control of Horses Act is currently under review with a view to simplifying and further improving the legislation. Plans are advancing and consultation with Local Authority veterinary officers is ongoing. A broad stakeholder engagement process will follow to facilitate a cohesive national approach in considering and implementing the proposals.
