Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 February 2024
409. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that have been taken to create a centralised database of compliance notices on the failure of owners to chip their horses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5657/24]
View answerMy Department endeavours on an ongoing basis to maximise the levels of compliance with equine identification legislation and enforcement is carried out by authorised officers across the Regional Office network in conjunction with authorised officers in the Local Authorities, An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Commissioners and other relevant organisations .My Department does not maintain centralised data in relation to the levels of non-compliances for failure to microchip equines and there are no immediate plans to do so.
Strengthening our equine traceability system is a objective for my Department and one of the actions taken to increase compliance is the equine chip checker portal. In July of last year, my Department launched an equine microchip and UELN (passport number) checking facility on the DAFM website, providing members of the public with a direct link to the central equine database.
This facility can be accessed via the link EquineChipCheck.agriculture.gov.ie and promotes compliance by equipping potential buyers with key information such as whether the animal is officially registered and its foodchain status.
