Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 150: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the situation regarding the export of live horses for slaughter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35003/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Trade in horses for slaughter is provided for in European Union legislation, which states that horses can be exported for slaughter once they comply with health certification requirements and are transported either directly or after transit through a market or an approved marshalling centre to the slaughterhouse.

All horses exported from Ireland must apply for an export certificate, except those exported under the tripartite agreement, which permits trade from Ireland to the UK (all horses) and to France (registered horses) without health certification, on the basis of the existence of an equivalent health status in the equine sector in these countries. Although the standard EU health certificate does not distinguish slaughter as a purpose of export, the application for export certification requires the exporter to state for what purpose the horse is being exported. My Department has not received applications for health certification for horses being exported for the purpose of slaughter. All export certificates which have been issued by my Department are in respect of animals for breeding, racing, jumping /sport use.

Notwithstanding the above, because horses exported to the UK or France under the tripartite agreement do not require an export certificate, it is not possible in all cases to be certain of the purpose for which they are being exported.