Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 July 2024
230. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that no horse with an ID (details supplied), or otherwise bred for sport or entertainment, be sent for, or accepted for, slaughter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30292/24]
View answerEU Regulation 2016/429, the EU Animal Health Law, and its delegated and implementing acts sets down the rules for the identification of equines. In recognition of the specific situation of equine animals which are generally not bred or kept solely for food producing purposes, the EU Animal Health Law provides uniquely that the single lifetime identification document, or equine passport, should be updated to the equine's status as eligible for human consumption.
A horse must be deemed ineligible for the food chain where:
• it has been treated with certain veterinary medicines such as phenylbutazobe (Bute)
• it has been issued with a duplicate or replacement passport or
• it was registered at greater than 12 months of age.
EU legislation does not provide a legal basis for a category of horses to be excluded for reasons excepting those listed above.
