Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to bring clarity to the situation in regard to the Connemara Pony Breeders Society. The society's is one of a number of equine stud books approved by my Department in accordance with EU rules and the relevant domestic legislation, namely, the European Communities (Equine) Regulations 2011. The society holds approval valid up to 28 November 2016 to maintain a stud book for the Connemara pony breed in Ireland.

In regard to inspections conducted for a stud book such as that of the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society, on foot of European Commission Decision 921353, stud book holders are required to have established principles for the division of their stud book if there are different conditions for entering the horse family, or if there are different procedures for classifying the horse family entered in the book. European Commission Decision 96/78 outlines the qualifying criteria for entry into the main section of a stud book and states this section may be divided into several classes, according to the animals’ merits. Therefore, as part of its breeding programme, the Connemara Pony Breeders Society has developed an inspection process which is available to all members to establish a classification for their animals within the main section of the stud book. The attributes which determine admission to the different classes within a stud book are matters for the individual or breed society holding the approval. The Department’s oversight is to ensure whatever standards and classifications are determined by the stud book operator adhere to the relevant requirements of EU and Irish legislation. Stud book holders are required to ensure the inspection processes include adequate safeguards to ensure transparency and fairness and that inspections are carried out in a non-discriminatory fashion. It is also required that there be an appropriate mechanism for owners who are dissatisfied with the outcome of an inspection of their animals to have access to a transparent appeals procedure.

The procedures of the Connernara Pony Breeders Society for inspections are as follows. Owners who wish to put their animals forward for inspection are required to apply in writing. The society will inspect colts aged three years and over and fillies aged two years and over. The animal’s lifetime document must be in the name of the owner at the date of application, or otherwise the society will not conduct the inspection. The lifetime document must be presented by the owner at the time of the inspection. Applicants with animals for inspection must pay the appropriate fee charged by the society. No applications are accepted after a closing date stipulated by the society. Markings on a pony, for example, flesh marks, socks, etc. should not be concealed or altered when the animal is being presented for inspection. Inspectors appointed by the society inspect each pony. Ponies also have their microchips checked and height measured at the inspection centre by the society’s veterinary surgeon. A written result of marks attained will be given to the owner on the day of the inspection, as marked by the inspectors at the inspection.

According to the rules of the society, animals that receive sufficient marks at the visual inspection to be eligible for class one or class two will be offered a full veterinary examination by the society’s veterinary surgeon on the day of the inspection. Animals that do not attend for veterinary inspection will remain in class three and their owners will have to reapply to the society should they wish to have them reclassified. Owners of animals being put forward for inspection are liable for the fee for the veterinary inspection of their animals and it is payable on the day of the inspection. All ponies not previously microchipped are microchipped by the veterinarian on the day of the inspection and owners are also liable for this cost. The society takes the submission by an animal owner of an application form for classification as an indication that the owner concerned is willing to abide by the rules and regulations of the Connemara Pony Breeders Society and the decision of the inspection committee. The decision of the inspection team is given to the owners of animals on the day of the inspection and no owner is permitted to enter into discussion with or make any approach to any member of the inspection team.

Owners of ponies that are not successful at an inspection may present them again an unlimited number of times.It is appropriate that studbooks keep their inspection procedures under review in the light of changing times. In this regard, I understand the Connemara Pony Breeders Society has recently commissioned a report to review its inspection processes. This review of inspection processes is one of several being carried out by the society. A discussion document arising from that exercise has been prepared and will be considered by the society’s management board in due course. When the Department has this to hand, it will examine it.