Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 368: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to establish a multi-agency group for the management of abandoned horses; the membership of this group; the operating guidelines of the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18117/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is clear from on-going communication between officials of my Department and representatives of relevant stakeholders including Local Authority Veterinary Inspectors, Animal Welfare Organisations and the Horse Industry that horse welfare problems continue to be reported including a risk of abandonment of horses. My officials are continuing to engage with the relevant stakeholders in an effort to keep the issue under review and to respond to current issues relating to horse welfare problems as appropriate.

Further meetings are being arranged with Local Authorities who have extensive powers under the Control of Horses Act 1996, to underline how the ongoing effective implementation of this Act by Local Authorities can assist with reducing potential horse welfare problems developing particularly with regard to those horses that are being abandoned. My Department provides annual funding in the region of €2m to Local Authorities to assist in their work in implementing the Control of Horses Act.

Through the auspices of the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council and particularly its Early Warning Intervention System, Department officials are continuing to work in close cooperation with the ISPCA to address and intervene in potential horse welfare situations before they become critical. Mindful of the valuable work being done by the welfare organisations and as a contribution towards the cost of their activities, I provided funding of €1.185 million in December 2009 to assist them in their work in 2010. I also urged those welfare organisations that have the capacity to deal with larger animals to consider placing greater resources in promoting horse welfare.