John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will explain her Department's failure to implement the regulations covering passports for equines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8960/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is actively following up on the requirement that equines be identified in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Equine Stud-Book and Competition) Regulations, SI 399 of 2004. The Department has written to the managers of some of the principal marts reminding them of the provisions of the European Communities (Equine Stud-book and Competition) Regulations 2004. A publicity campaign is also being arranged to remind the general public of the regulations relating to the identification of equidae. As a follow- on action Department Officers will also carry out random compliance checks with regard to identification documents at sales, ports and other places where horses are assembled.

My Department has also been actively engaged with the European Commission in discussions on the Commission's forthcoming proposals regarding the matter of the identification of equidae. My Department has drawn the Commission's attention to the desirability, from a disease prevention perspective, to make it mandatory to register any premises in which horses are kept.

The Commission has also been informed of my view that the proposal to introduce compulsory microchipping for equines serves no purpose without provision being made for the establishment of a compulsory central database that can link the microchip number to the animal identification.