Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

169. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to change the thoroughbred foal levy, which was introduced in March 2000 as a statutory instrument on all thoroughbred foals registered here, to a levy on sales of thoroughbreds rather than on the registration of foals, as this would be a more equitable way of raising funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16227/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The current Foal Levy scheme, which was introduced in 2000 on a statutory basis, applies to all thoroughbred foals registered in Ireland. 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.

A change from the current foal levy scheme to one based on a levy on sales would have the following disadvantages:

- The levy would only be payable on those thoroughbreds sold at public auction in Ireland.

- Horses which are sold on a number of times would attract a levy on each occasion

- Any sales of Irish registered thoroughbreds outside of Ireland would not attract a sales levy although such horses would benefit from the work carried out by the primary industry beneficiaries of the Foal Levy scheme.

- The introduction of a levy on horses sold in Ireland could result in an increased number of vendors selling their horses in the UK or France, thus reducing the number of sales in Ireland which attract a significant number of overseas buyers.

There is currently a very high compliance level with the Foal Levy scheme and it has been revised from time to time to ensure fairness in its application.

Against this background as outlined, I have no plans to change the current arrangements for the Foal Levy.