Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent)
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71. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to provide an outlet for horses surplus to the horse industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39443/13]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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84. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a slaughter premium for horses as a temporary measure to reduce the number of unwanted horses in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39543/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 84 together.

I am aware that various interests in the sector, including some animal welfare organisations, have called for measures to be introduced by my Department to deal with surplus horses. While it is the responsibility of horse owners to ensure the welfare of horses in their ownership and/or their care and to dispose of them appropriately, my Department is consulting with relevant stakeholders involved in the horse sector, including farming/industry representatives, Local Authorities, Teagasc and welfare bodies to gauge the extent of any developing problem in relation to the welfare of horses. In this context, I have noted the positive message from Teagasc’s recent fodder census survey which indicates good grass growth throughout the country and adequate fodder stocks. In view of this, there is no evidence of an immediate problem in relation to the welfare of horses. However, my Department will keep the situation under review.

My Department will, of course, continue to deal with any animal welfare issues relating to horses through its existing mechanisms. Any person facing a horse welfare situation should contact their local office of the Department or their local animal welfare organisation for assistance in resolving the problem.

In this context, I would like to remind horse owners of the advice given recently by the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council that, where an owner can no longer adequately provide for their horse or where the horse can no longer fulfil the purpose for which is was bred, he or she should be proactive in seeking to dispose of the animal, including consideration of the option of humane disposal. Such action will help prevent the emergence of long-term and severe animal welfare problems. The Council also stresses that where a horse is being sold, the seller must do his or her utmost to ensure that the person buying the horse has the capacity to take care of the animal and meet all its health and welfare needs. The seller bears a responsibility to ensure that the welfare of the horse will not be compromised in the future. I should also emphasise that all horse owners should adhere to the legal requirement for all horses to be identified and in possession of a valid passport as disposal options for undocumented horses are limited and expensive.