Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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450. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the animal welfare measures which must be adhered to in cases in which animals are being seized under the European Union (Identification of Equidae) Regulations 2016 26(2)(v); the policy for segregation of pregnant mares and the treatment of animals when they are impounded; the rationale for prohibiting members of the public or animal welfare organisations from viewing the animals once they are impounded; the policy on rehoming animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30002/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The EU (Identification of Equidae) Regulations 2016 provide for the seizure of horses where an authorised officer has grounds for believing that an offence is being or has been committed under the Regulations. The Regulations also provide an opportunity for the owner/keeper of the animals to reclaim seized animals on production of the required documentation within 5 days.  The handling and transport of seized equines must be carried out in compliance with the EC (Animal Transport and Control Post) Regulations 2006.  Impounded animals are provided with appropriate food and water and colts and stallions are kept separate from fillies and mares. Pregnant mares for whom 90% or more of the gestation period has passed cannot be transported. For security reasons, including biosecurity reasons there is strict control on access to horse pounds from unauthorised personnel. Every effort is made to rehome unclaimed horses and horse pound operators do facilitate the viewing and rehoming of horses by horse welfare bodies and these arrangements are dealt with separately by arrangement with the Pound.