Dr. Sonja Egan:

On the cross-breeding programme, there are very specific rules. There is a European regulation on entry into a stud book. Both parents must be main-section stud-book parents in order to gain entry into the main section of a stud book. In cases where, as I said, there is a breed that someone believes is recorded on a passport, there is parentage recorded for both sire and dam. If the breeds of those animals are not in the stud book specific cross-breeding programme, they are not allowed to enter the stud book. Of course, in cases where animals might have one side of their parentage recorded and have a white book, which is also called the ID document, we try to support those breeders to get the parentage if it will meet the entry requirements. However, that is not always possible through this pathway. To enter the stud book depends on the eligibilities of the breed code. Breeders also have the option to bring the alibi to selection to see if the animal will meet the inspection requirements in order to gain entry. Again, that depends specifically on the stud book. There are performance horse stud books in Ireland and we also have some rare breed stud books. HSI does not govern all those stud books. There are specific rules around the entry of those and some are closed. A Connemara pony, for example, can only be registered in that stud book. There is not a cross-breeding programme in the green book or the Irish sport horse stud book. They would have a cross-breeding programme so that is a little different.