Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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2431. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to enforce the issuing of equine identifications given the critical situation in relation to horse neglect and cruelty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18111/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the Programme for Government, equine welfare, based on a robust traceability system, is a priority for my Department, building on existing inspectorate supports across the country.

The legislation governing the identification of equines across the EU is Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/262 (CR 262/2015), as transposed into national legislation via S.I. 62 of 2016.

This Regulation provides that an equine must be identified with a passport no later than 12 months from the date of birth of the animal. The identification of an equine is determined by the unique equine life number (UELN) recorded on the identification document. Equine passports are issued in Ireland by a number of Passport Issuing Organisations (PIOs) approved by my Department.

All equines identified with a passport from 1st July 2009 must also be implanted with a microchip, the number of which must be recorded on the associated passport document, on the database of the issuing PIO and on my Department's central equine database. The Department has validations built in to its systems to ensure that legislative requirements are adhered to and that all equines issued with a passport from that date have been implanted with a microchip.

Enforcement of equine identification legislation is primarily undertaken by authorised officers throughout my Department's Regional Office network in close liaison with their veterinary colleagues across the various Local Authorities, members of An Garda Síochána and Revenue Commissioners Officials, as required. Authorised officers from my Department 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. Potential equine welfare issues are similarly dealt with by authorised officers in my Department, in conjunction with authorised officers in other agencies.

Where breaches are detected, they are dealt with in a reasonable and proportionate manner to ensure compliance, taking into account the specific circumstances of each case.

Work is underway within my Department to undertake a national equine census by the end of this year. This will establish the number of equines in the country and the residences at which they habitually reside. Further development of a central database to provide for the easy updating of equine residence data is also planned for 2021.