Ms Maddie Doyle:

There are databases here and in different countries in Europe. The biggest problem is dealing with so many passport agencies that are either breed-specific or look after non-recorded breeding in groups of horses. It would definitely be challenging, but there are centralised databases for other animals such as bovines and other animals. Centralised databases already exist. I would not necessarily be familiar with them because I do not operate in that arena, but I am sure, rather than reinventing the wheel, there are pointers to be taken from what exists already and applying it to the equine sector. Obviously, bovines are bred and reared for different reasons.

In terms of longevity, they do not live as long as a horse. I do not know how often they change hands or locations relative to a horse, which might introduce other, unique challenges when it comes to tracing and tracking horses. A horse can live into their 20s or 30s; which is a long time to keep track of the movements of a particular animal. The bigger traceability issues are in relation to bigger equine producers.

It is one thing for a family to have two or three horses. Obviously, they need to comply with the legislation in terms of ID and movements, but the bigger issues with traceability come from within the elite sector. Within racing, the IHRB, and HRI, have governance responsibilities for and oversight of licensed premises in respect of horses in training and horses that are racing. Before training and racing and after training and racing, who has oversight of the tracking and tracing of those animals? That is a big problem.