Thomas Gould
Question:24. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeline for the horse, donkey and goat survey in Cork city. [60786/21]
View answerThursday, 9 December 2021
Questions (24)
Written answers
The Department is carrying out the first annual equine census this year.
Any person in Ireland who kept any equine, which includes horses, ponies, donkeys or mules overnight on 30th November 2021 is required to submit a completed census return. Keepers are required to record the total number of equines present on their holding on census night. The Unique Equine Life Number (UELN), also known as the passport number, of each equine that has been identified with an identification document will also be required, as will the approximate date on which each animal moved to the premises.
The census will provide important information in the event of an equine disease outbreak, in addressing public health concerns and in dealing with lost, straying or stolen horses.
The preference is that equine census returns are submitted online via agfood.ie. However, keepers may also submit census information on a paper form that has been posted to all equine keepers registered on my Department’s systems. A copy of that form is also available for download on the DAFM website.
Census forms are to be submitted to the Department by Friday 17th December 2021.
I would take he opportunity yo also highlight that my Department also conducts an annual sheep and goat census, which is generally undertaken on 31st December each year. As with the equine census, online submission is the preferred option but paper returns are also accepted. Forms for the 2021 sheep and goat census are expected to issue to registered keepers during the week of 13th December 2021. Sheep and goat census returns submitted by post must reach the Department by 31st January 2022. An extended deadline of 14th February 2022 is available to keepers who submit a return online.