Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1788. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are any operational horse abattoirs within the State; if so, the locations of same; the regulatory and animal welfare frameworks that govern them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46508/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1789. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the process whereby an application of interest to establish a horse abattoir can be made; if this process will be revised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46509/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1788 and 1789 together.

There are currently no approved equine slaughter plants within the State. Approval to operate as an equine slaughter premises, similar to all meat food business operator applications, is a two-stage process. The first step is the submission of a Notification of Intent to my Department. If all of the documentation is correct, and the site is deemed suitable by a Veterinary Inspector, then the process moves to the second stage with the submission of a formal application. 

To date, two separate Notifications of Intent for equine slaughter plants have been submitted to my Department, neither of which have yet progressed to formal application stage. 

With effect from May 2025, where approval to operate a slaughter premises is sought, applicants are required to undergo a ‘Fit and Proper Person' assessment process. This process will be completed in advance of any consideration of the formal application.