Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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11. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a report on the number of horses slaughtered in each of the years 2012 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; the number of horses exported for slaughter in the same periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25844/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The numbers of horses slaughtered for human consumption at approved equine slaughter establishments during the years in question are as follows:

An agreement between Ireland, the UK and France allows for free movement of horses between these countries. My Department does not maintain a record of horses exported for slaughter, but it is considered that the number of such horses is negligible; and in the years in question no horses were exported directly for slaughter abroad under my Department’s certification.

The Deputy will be aware that following the Equine DNA investigation in 2013, greater emphasis is being placed on detection of food fraud and improved consumer protection across the EU.

A range of subsequent actions taken at both national and EU level include a programme of DNA testing of beef products and testing of horse meat for the presence of phenylbutazone (‘bute’). Controls relating to horse identification have also been strengthened.

In addition my Department has taken responsibility for the supervision of all horse abattoirs in Ireland; and a register of meat traders has been created to improve our oversight in this area.