Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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117. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department continues to maintain and apply traceability and records in respect of the non-thoroughbred horse industry, with particular reference to the need to ensure compliance with best practice and husbandry standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19142/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department has introduced a number of regulations in recent years designed to improve the traceability of equines, including horses. The regulations apply equally to thoroughbred and non-thoroughbred horses. With regard to the identification of equines, Commission Regulation 504 of 2008, which sets down the implementing rules relating to the methods of identification of equines, has been transposed into national law via S.I. No. 207 of 2014. The system for identifying horses for the first time on or after 1^stJuly 2009 is comprised of three elements, namely

(i) a single identification document (equine passport),

(ii) a method to ensure an unequivocal link between the animal and the identification document (transponder implanted by a practising veterinary surgeon), and

(iii) a database recording under a unique identification number which details identification information regarding the animal for which the identification document was issued, to a person recorded in the database.

My Department also introduced legislation in 2014requiring transfer of ownership details to be notified to the relevant PIO and the central database within 30 days of date of transfer.

In addition, persons in charge of any premises in which horses or other equines (such as donkeys, ponies etc) are kept are required under S.I. No. 113 of 2014to register their premises with my Department and to maintain records to assist the Department in tracing horses, should a disease outbreak occur.

Furthermore, as part of the identification process for equines resident in Ireland, an owner/keeper who applies to have their horse identified is requested to provide the premises registration number of the holding where the animal will be normally resident to the issuing Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO).

Enforcement of relevant equine legislation is undertaken by authorised officers in my Department, the Garda Síochána, the Local Authorities and other officers appointed by the Minister, as required.

Legislation on the identification and traceability of horses is primarily designed to ensure that horses can be traced throughout their life with a view to ensuring that they comply with legislation relating to animal and public health, including the exclusion of horses, which have been treated with certain medicines,from the human food chain, and animal welfare. While it does not have specific objective in relation to animal husbandry, it can, as with any animal identification system, facilitate the adoption of best practice in relation to husbandry on farms.