James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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1008. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is confident that every foal is being issued with an equine passport; the checks and regulations being made to ensure that this is the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8225/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The rules regarding the identification of equines across the EU are governed by Commission Implementing Regulation 262/2015 (CR 262/2015), which came into effect on 1 January 2016. This legislation was transposed into national legislation in Ireland via S.I. No 62 of 2016.

Article 12(1) of that Regulation provides that all equine animals must be identified with a passport no later than 12 months from the date of birth of the animal and, in any event, before the equine moves permanently from the holding of origin.

Equine passports are issued by Passport Issuing Organisations (PIOs) approved by my Department. Information available from these organisations suggests that high rates of compliance with the identification rules are being achieved.

Enforcement of equine identification legislation is primarily undertaken by authorised officers in my Department's Regional Office network who engage in checks at sales venues including marts and fairs, as well as at horse slaughter plants and at export points including ports and airports. These officers work closely with veterinary colleagues in Local Authorities and liaise with An Garda Síochána and Revenue Commissioners Officials, as required.

In addition, inspection of equine passports forms part of the equine identification validation processes at competition venues to ensure that all intended participants are identified properly and accompanied by a valid identification document.

Where breaches of equine identification legislation are identified, my Department's policy is to adopt a fair and proportional approach to resolving such issues. In this regard, authorised officers engage with keepers making them aware of their responsibilities and generally issue a compliance notice in the first instance to ensure compliance with the legislation.