Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022
706. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions that have been taken by his Department to ensure the welfare of Irish thoroughbreds and other racing horses being sent to UK slaughterhouses since the broadcasting of a television programme (details supplied); and the measures that have been put in place to stop such transportation of Irish horses to UK slaughterhouses. [25900/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra707. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses sent to UK slaughterhouses in 2021 and to date in 2022. [25901/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 706 and 707 together.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine only certifies and permits animals to be transported in compliance with the EU's animal welfare legislation, and the Government demands the highest standards of animal welfare during transport. The vast majority of animals exported from Ireland travel to the EU, which is governed by these same high standards of animal welfare legislation.
Prior to 1st January 2021, there was a Tripartite Agreement in place between Ireland, France and UK. Under this agreement, equines, except those consigned directly for slaughter, could move between Ireland, the UK and France without veterinary inspection or certification. Equines being moved to the UK directly for slaughter however did require veterinary health certification. No equines were certified for movement from Ireland to GB for slaughter in the period since 2019.
Since 1st January, 2021, all horses being exported to GB require a veterinary certificate. There have not been any certificates issued in respect of animals being sent for slaughter in GB since then.
The inspection and certification process does not differentiate between different breeds of animals as the matters of interest are the health and welfare of the animals, which are not breed dependent, so my Department does not have data on the breeds of horses exported.
Enhancing our equine identification and traceability system in order to better support equine welfare is one of my key commitments under Ireland’s Welfare Strategy 2021 – 2025, published by my Department following consultation with stakeholders. One of the actions I have taken to achieve this is the undertaking of the first equine census last November. This will create a link between each equine kept in the State on census day and the premises where it is kept at that time. This formal linking of equines to their keepers should increase compliance with equine legislation, including transfer of ownership requirements, where the recorded keeper is legally responsible for the day-to-day health and welfare of all animals in his/her care.
In addition, my Department intends to approve an equine e-passport shortly which will see technological innovation contribute to equine traceability. E-passports have huge potential in terms of real time monitoring of movements and ownership thereby improving traceability in event of disease outbreak.
