Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 July 2024
231. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he has yet begun the necessary process of making sure horses bred for racing or entertainment, within the expensive and wealthy equine industry, are put to sleep humanely and not sent for slaughter; the steps he is taking to make sure this humane end to life is built into the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30293/24]
View answerMy Department has engaged Professor Patrick Wall to carry out a review of all issues relating to equine traceability and slaughter, with a view to bringing forward recommendations to me within a short time frame. Ireland operates within the requirements of EU law, and in terms of equine traceability we are fully in compliance with those requirements.
Ireland is actively contributing to discussions at EU level in relation to the need to improve the equine traceability system.
Legally, when it comes to an end of life decision a horse owner has two options. They can choose to have a horse put to sleep humanely (euthanised), or they can choose to have a horse sent for slaughter, so long as the horse has not been deemed ineligible for the food chain.
