Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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1669. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a statement on the allegations of mistreatment of horses at a certain food supplier (details supplied) brought to light by an investigative programme in June 2024; whether he is aware of any violations of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2023; and if he is investigating allegations of microchip tampering. [18569/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department strongly condemns any cruelty or mistreatment of animals and takes matters of equine welfare and the integrity of the food chain very seriously.

Following on from the June 2024 investigations programme, in light of the nature of evidence subsequently discovered in the course of the Department’s investigation, it was recently agreed that it was appropriate that An Garda Síochána take the lead role in the investigation with ongoing support and assistance being provided by the Department. The ongoing investigation primarily relates to animal welfare and traceability practices associated with the named food supplier prior to my Department revoking its approval in June 2024.

While it is vitally important to ensure that process continues without prejudice, I can confirm my Department is fully committed to giving all necessary assistance to An Garda Síochána to enable appropriate enforcement action be taken where any breaches of the law are found to have occurred.

Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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1670. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the steps his Department has taken to ensure accountability following public allegations of animal abuse at a certain food supplier (details supplied). [18570/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department continues to work collaboratively with An Garda Síochána in undertaking an extensive investigation into the serious matters relating to the details supplied to ensure there is accountability for those responsible. In light of the nature of evidence discovered in the course of the Department’s investigation into these matters, it was recently agreed that it was appropriate that An Garda Síochána take the lead role in the investigation with ongoing support and assistance being provided by the Department. The ongoing investigation primarily relates to animal welfare and traceability practices associated with the named food supplier prior to my Department revoking its approval in June 2024.

While it is vitally important to ensure that process continues without prejudice, I can confirm my Department is fully committed to giving all necessary assistance to An Garda Síochána to enable appropriate enforcement action be taken where any breaches of the law are found to have occurred.

I have also taken action in relation to the wider issue of the need to improve the equine traceability system to protect equine welfare. Professor Patrick Wall was commissioned to carry out a root and branch review of our horse traceability system and I published his report last month. The report makes a number of recommendations to strengthen our system and my Department has also published an action plan translating those recommendations into concrete actions. I look forward to delivering this action plan. I am serious about bringing accountability to the sector through better traceability so that our horses can be protected from suffering, particularly at the end of life.

Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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1671. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is currently monitoring or auditing slaughterhouses, or holding facilities for notable breaches in animal welfare and traceability; and whether his Department has issued any internal or external guidance or policy updates in response to recent allegations of animal abuse at a certain food supplier (details supplied). [18571/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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All slaughterhouses must be approved by my Department. There are ongoing inspections at slaughterhouses, including their lairages, and they are regularly audited. These inspections cover food safety checks including traceability, animal welfare and animal health checks. Where breaches of regulations are detected appropriate enforcement action is taken by my Department. The slaughterhouse associated with the named food supplier had its approval revoked by my Department in June 2024 on grounds of protecting human health and animal welfare.

Professor Patrick Wall’s report "Reforms to Strengthen Equine Identification, Traceability and Welfare", commissioned by my Department and published last month, proposes a number of reforms which my Department has translated into an action plan. This plan sets out clearly how controls will be updated where necessary to ensure robust traceability and protect the welfare of horses.