Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2025
1125. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses from the horse racing industry were sent to slaughter in 2024; to outline where horses are now being sent to slaughter given that the only licensed slaughterhouse was suspended last year.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2067/25]
View answerThe number of horses slaughtered in 2024 was 919 of which 641 were notified as thoroughbred horses. The Department does not have a record of the racing history of those notified as thoroughbred horses. The licence of Shannonside Foods, which was the only approved equine slaughter plant, was revoked on animal welfare and equine traceability grounds in June 2024 and no horses have been slaughtered in Ireland since. In 2024, 256 horses were certified for export from Ireland for slaughter in France.
