Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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262. 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. [21645/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has responsibility for a suite of legislation in the equine area generally, the rules of which apply equally to thoroughbred and non-thoroughbred equine animals. This legislation requires the proper identification of equine animals as well as the maintenance of traceability and ownership issues.

The current rules regarding the identification of equidae are determined by Commission Regulation 262/2015, which has been effective since 1st January 2016, and which has been transposed into national legislation via S.I. 62 of 2016 (as amended).

Under the provisions of Commission Regulation 262/2015, all equine animals are required to be identified with an equine passport by 12 months of age. Such passports must contain a unique identifying number (UELN) in respect of the animal, retained for the lifetime of the animal, and must also record details of the number of the transponder implanted into the neck of the equine by a veterinary practitioner, thus ensuring an unequivocal link between the identification document and the animal. Only those equines identified within the time limits set out in Regulation 262/2015 can be deemed to be eligible to be slaughtered for human consumption. The final decision as to whether an equine can be included in the food chain is determined by an official veterinarian from my Department, present at the factory at the time of slaughter, having examined the data contained in the identification document and on the central database and having undertaken a series of ante and post mortem examinations on the equine.

Article 38(1) of the Regulation 262/2015 specifies the minimum data to be recorded on the central database of each Member State in respect of each equine identified and each record must be updated by approved Passport Issuing Organisations (PIOs) in that Member State. In addition, the database must be notified, again via an approved PIO, of all studbook equines identified by PIOs outside the country where such animals are ordinarily resident. Similarly, relevant information in respect of all equines introduced into the State must be notified to an appropriate approved PIO in the Member State into which the equine is introduced, for onward notification to the central database.

In addition to this minimum equine identification data, the central database operated and maintained by my Department also records information in relation to Equine Premises Registration (PRN) and equine Transfer of Ownership details. The rules in these regards are determined by national legislation via S.I. No 8 of 2012 and S.I. 189 of 2014 (as amended) respectfully.

In Ireland, national legislation provides that applications for an equine passport must indicate the premises registration number (PRN) of the holding at which the equine will be kept. Applications for PRNs are managed by the Regional Office network of my Department and the PRN of each keeper making an application for an equine passport in respect of an equine in his/her care is recorded on the central database. Similarly, information in relation to the current ownership of equines must be notified to an appropriate PIO for onward notification to the central database. Both of these measures facilitate the traceability of equines, as required.

All equine keepers have responsibility for proper animal welfare under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. The adoption of best animal husbandry practices is a matter for individual owners and keepers.