The first-time verification of Connemara ponies (as referred to) is a project submitted by the Connemara Pony Breeders Society (CPBS) under the General Programme of the 2026 Equine Technical Support and Equine Breeding Scheme (ETS). This has been an annual competitive scheme and is subject to budgetary allowances. Funding under this programme is to support equine breed societies in the sport horse sector to develop breed initiatives to meet their breeding objectives and this can include DNA testing for parentage verification.
The operation of this scheme is subject to the provisions of Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2472 of 14 December 2022 which declares certain categories of aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas compatible with the internal market. Article 27 of this Regulation refers that the rate for "tests performed by or on behalf of third parties, to determine the genetic quality or yield of livestock" shall be limited to 70%. Therefore, the maximum rate of funding which could be awarded to the CPBS for this project was 70%. It is a matter for the CPBS to determine how they obtain the matching funds for this project.
As an annual scheme, all projects must be completed and claimed for within the year. The Terms and Condition of the ETS scheme can be found on the following link [Equine Technical Support and Equine Breeding Schemes]. The onus is on each project promoter to comply with these Terms and Conditions which involves managing the roll out of the project and ensuring valid claims are submitted in time to ensure payment. The deadline for submission of completed claims for DNA type projects is 7 December 2026. Therefore, it is a matter for the CPBS to determine various deadlines for submission of DNA samples by breeders to them to allow for laboratory processing time and also set the respective registration fees.
The setting of fees for services provided by breed societies is not a matter for my Department.
