Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the purposes for which a stud book is primarily held in view of the fact that in Horse Sport Ireland's mission statement, no reference is made to a primary commitment to the preservation of the Irish draught horse as a the sole indigenous Irish horse breed; his views on whether it is appropriate that a body whose primary commitment and purpose is the breeding of sport horses should hold the Irish Draught Horse stud book; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39463/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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EC Directive 90/427/EC defines a studbook as "any book, register, file or data medium:

- which is maintained either by an organization or an association officially approved or recognized by a Member State or by an official agency of the Member State concerned, and

- in which equidae are entered or registered with mention of all their known ascendants".

Horse Sport Ireland's (HSI) Strategic Plan 2009-2012, which includes the Mission Statement that you refer to, makes specific reference to the Irish Draught breeding programme. Horse Sport Ireland has undertaken to deliver on its mission through the adoption of various strategies and programmes with accompanying actions. This includes a specific strategy relating to the breeding policy for the Irish Draught Horse, which is entitled "Develop a sustainable breeding policy for the Irish Draught Horse in association with Irish Draught breeders". Furthermore, I am satisfied that the studbook, as maintained by HSI is operated in accordance with the relevant national and EU legislation.