As stated in previous Parliamentary Questions, my Department does not request any annual evidence of ownership of Connemara ponies from the named organisation in order to avail of the Equine Technical Support and Equine Breeding Scheme (ETS) payments.
Separately, farmers with Connemara ponies who are members of the associated recognised breed society were eligible to apply for the Conservation of Rare Breeds action under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) as the Connemara Pony is one of the eligible livestock species for that action. ACRES is a multi-annual scheme where participants commit to undertake approved actions for a period of five years. The objective of the Conservation of Rare Breeds action is to conserve the genetic diversity of native breeds that are at risk of extinction as participation in the Scheme supports the retention and increase of the breed. The action requirements include membership of a recognised breed society for the duration of the participant’s contract and the registration with the breeding society of progeny from a purebred mating. The provision of confirmation of proof of membership on an annual basis is a control to ensure compliance with that requirement and also ensures that offspring are registered so the output from the support is recorded. EU Regulation 2021/2115 governs the CAP Strategic Plan. ACRES forms part of this plan and my Department is required to have appropriate controls in place to ensure any payments are in line with the relevant legislation and scheme terms and conditions.
