Decisions regarding the type of horse an individual chooses to breed are a matter for the individual breeder. My Department has provided incentives and assistance through a range of measures down through the years, in accordance with European Commission State Aid Guidelines, aimed at improving equine quality. These measures are contained within the NDP 2007-2013. Since 2007 my Department has provided €2.3m in assistance through organisations such as the approved equine studbooks, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association and the Racing Academy and Centre for Education for the purposes of improving equine quality. Projects approved for funding included training for breeders, exchange of information, DNA testing, genetic indexing, performance testing and mare inspections and studbook improvement.
In addition, almost €5m has been provided by my Department in grant aid to Horse Sport Ireland since 2007, the organisation established to develop and promote an internationally competitive Irish sport horse industry. The Deputy may wish to note that it is not permitted to make payments to producers under the current European Commission State Aid Guidelines. It is a requirement that all equines are identified in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No. 504/2008. Both my Department and I have reminded breeders of their responsibilities in this regard on several occasions. The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWAC) recently reminded all horse owners that all horses must be identified and be in possession of a valid passport.
My Department does not have an estimate of the number of equines, of the type specified by the Deputy, which are not identified in accordance with this Regulation. I have made the point previously that Ireland is recognised globally as a world leader in the production and rearing of equines. To maintain this position, equine producers need to ensure that they continue to produce high quality, sound and healthy animals that are ‘in demand' in the international market place. Whilst as an island, Ireland has certain advantages in protecting against exotic disease; we must continually be on our guard. The fundamentals of good animal health systems are grounded on traceability, built upon robust identification and registration systems. It is a legal requirement since July 2009 that each equine being identified, be implanted with a microchip and to have a passport issued from an approved studbook or horse passport agency, with the details relating to the animal recorded on a database maintained by the passport issuing body. Following consultation with industry representatives, I have decided that the registration process will in future be completed by 31 December of the year of birth of the animal, or six months after its birth, whichever date occurs later.
