Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
595. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to enforce the time limit for the registration of newly born foals; if he is satisfied that the arrangements are beneficial to both stud owners in the collection of stud fees and the equine industry at large; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32289/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rules governing the timescale within which equines must be identified are determined at EU level. Commission Implementing Regulation 262/2015 (CR 262/2015), which has been effective since 1st January 2016, lays down the rules regarding the identification of equines. This legislation was transposed into national law via S.I. 62 of 2016.
Article 12(1) of CR 262/2015 provides that all equine animals must be identified with a passport no later than 12 months from the date of birth of the animal, and in any event, before moving permanently from the holding of origin.
Equine passports are issued by Passport Issuing Organisations (PIOs) approved by my Department. Information available from these organisations suggest that high rates of compliance are being achieved with regard to the identification rules. These strengthened rules on the identification of equines are generally held to be beneficial to the industry at large. However engagements between stud owners and keepers are commercial arrangements which do not involve my Department.
