Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I apologise as I have to go to another meeting shortly. Witnesses may not be that familiar with the tripartite bloodstock agreement between Ireland, the UK and France but I will ask my question anyway. I am aware that it is a slightly specialised area so I will be happy to ask somebody else if it is not within the witnesses' remit. The tripartite agreement is on the movement of bloodstock. In the region of 25,000 bloodstock journeys are made from Ireland to the UK and France and back every year. That arrangement will, of course, come into jeopardy from January. I do not know what negotiations the witnesses are aware of. They will be aware that the majority of brood mares in this country are held by farmers with fewer than four per farm. This is really interesting and it clearly tells us that brood mares are held right across the country, in many cases as a sideline for farmers. It is a unique industry and it feeds into the rural economy and rural expenditure. We are famous for our bloodstock, as the witnesses know. This matter relates to breeding stock, travelling for racing and movements across the jurisdictions. I realise it is a slightly specialised area so it may not be part of the witnesses' brief. If they have a comment on it or are aware of any negotiations on it, they might be able to share the information with the committee.