Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 June 2024
280. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will place a limit on the number of times a horse can change hands in terms of ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26290/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEquine traceability requirements are provided for in EU law and the system in Ireland complies with these requirements. The EU laws on traceability for all animals, including horses, places obligations on any person having an animal under his or her responsibility. A maximum number of owners is not an element that is regulated for under EU law.
In the case of the traceability of horses, EU Regulation 2016/429 recognises that effective traceability systems for each species must reflect the reality of how those animals move throughout their lifetime. Frequent movement is intrinsic to the horse sector and in recognition of this, Regulation 2016/429, bases equine traceability on the concept of a horse’s “habitual residence”.
My Department introduced the annual equine census as a way to capture the habitual residence of equines registered in Ireland. This is important progress in Ireland’s traceability of equines. My Department plans to build on this initiative as well as the potential afforded by e-passports to create a fuller picture of our equine population, and to work with other Member States and the Commission to improve the system of traceability for equines.
