Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 431: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the outcome of a meeting held recently at University College Dublin, Dublin 4 regarding horse welfare; the initiatives planned arising from this meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41457/09]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 433: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action he has taken to establish a multi-agency group for the management of abandoned horses; the membership of this group; the operating guidelines of the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41530/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 431 and 433 together.

Officials of my Department attended the Workshop on Horse Health and Welfare in Ireland held recently at University College Dublin, which was organised by its Faculty of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine and included participants drawn from a cross-section of industry, government, education and welfare sectors. The initiative for the meeting, which focused primarily on the added value that higher welfare standards and taking ownership of welfare bring to the equine industry, was taken by University College Dublin in the context of its ongoing research into horse health and welfare.

With regard to the establishment of a multi-agency group for the management of abandoned horses, I have had discussions recently with representatives of the horse industry and welfare bodies in which I was briefed on the possible risk of horse welfare problems developing over the coming months including a risk of abandonment of horses. Following these discussions I have asked officials of my Department to meet with representatives of the horse industry and welfare bodies in an effort to establish the extent of the problem and possible solutions. Officials have now met with representatives from the horse industry and through a series of regional meetings with the Early Warning System (sub-group of the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council), have engaged with representatives from farming and animal welfare bodies to discuss the issue of horse welfare.

In addition I have asked Veterinary Inspectors from my Department's District Veterinary Offices to carry out an assessment to identify any potential problems with horses on farms. Further meetings are being arranged with relevant stakeholders including welfare bodies involved with horses to ensure that the matter is kept under review. I have also written to my colleague Mr. John Gormley TD the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the context of the Control of Horses Act 1996. The ongoing effective implementation of this Act by Local Authorities can assist with reducing potential horse welfare problems developing particularly with regard to those horses that are being abandoned.