Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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946. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out in tabular form the number of checks carried out in compliance with SI 62 of 2016 and the requirement to possess a horse passport in each year since 2016; and the number of instances of non-compliance identified in each year. [24248/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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S.I. 62/2016 transposing Regulation EU 262/2015 lays down rules regarding the methods for the identification of horses within the EU. It also deals with the issuance of equine identification documents, as well as the movement and transport of equines. The DAFM website carries extensive information to assist horse owners and keepers in achieving compliance with the requirements of the legislation. Checks on horse passports are undertaken through my Department's Regional Office network. My officials attend gatherings of horses such as fairs where large numbers of horses are shown or traded. The checks are generally carried out as part of a multi-agency task force e.g in liaison with the Local Authorities and An Garda Síochána.

Consolidated records are not collated in regard to these checks, and any matters arising are dealt with as appropriate at Regional Office level.

Where suspected cases of unidentified equines arise, my officials will liaise closely with the Local Authorities and An Garda Síochána as appropriate.