Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

225. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will liaise with a society (details supplied) and ensure that it allows DNA investigations into their ponies; if their ponies have been microchips checked and share DNA profiles of their ponies. [15275/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In accordance with the Animal Breeding Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/1012), a recognised breed society is required to have controls in place necessary for recording pedigree of the breeding animals that are entering their breeding book. I can confirm that the breed society in question verifies the parentage of all animals entering their breeding book by DNA.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/963 outlines the rules on the identification and registration of equine animals and outlines the means and methods of identification of equines. Within this jurisdiction, the method of identification is through an injectable transponder (microchip) and this is verified by an veterinarian during the process of completing the application form for the animal’s identification document. The activity of sharing DNA profiles is a matter for breed societies.