Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 442: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will implement changes to the levy applied on foals; and if the levy could be based on percentage of the current market value of the service fee as opposed to the current system. [24861/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Foal Levy Scheme was introduced in 2000 on a statutory basis, the Horse and Greyhound Racing (Betting Charges and Levies) Act, 1999, refers. The Levy is payable by all breeders whose thoroughbred foals are born and registered in Ireland. The scheme is administered by Horse Racing Ireland, the State body with responsibility for the thoroughbred sector.

The proceeds of the levy are used by Horse Racing Ireland to help fund the Irish Equine Centre, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing. These organisations provide key support structures to the Irish thoroughbred breeding industry. The rate of the levy is calculated by reference to the advertised value of the nomination fee of the stallion in accordance with the provisions of the Thoroughbred Foal Levy Regulations, 2007, S.I. No. 853 of 2007. There are six levy rate bands. The setting of the rates of the levy and the distribution of the funds is decided by the Board of Horse Racing Ireland based on the advice of its Foal Levy Committee which includes representatives of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA) and the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA).

Given that it is the function of Horse Racing Ireland to submit proposals relating to the Foal Levy Scheme to me for approval I suggest that it would be appropriate for you to raise this matter with Horse Racing Ireland in the first instance. I understand Horse Racing Ireland is currently undertaking a review of the scheme and any changes ultimately proposed will have to be submitted to me for consent.