The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine today published its ‘Report on the Horse Industry in Ireland’. This report gives a current overview of the horse industry in Ireland and looks at associated issues such as funding, registration, traceability, disease control, welfare, encouraging greater participation in the equine industry and also harness racing. Some of the report’s 44 recommendations include: • That a national plan for the equine industry in Ireland should be developed encompassing the sectors covered in this report. • That overall responsibility for all horse and related equine matter transfer to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine with a specific division within DAFM for equine issues. • That all funding for the horse industry should be under the remit of DAFM to cover HRI, HSI, Irish Greyhound Board (IGB). This funding should encompass welfare matters and the development of urban horse projects, while allowing the funding of elite show jumpers to remain with the Sports Council. • That there be greater coordination and collaboration between agencies of the state on equine welfare and abandonment issues. • That a single Irish accreditation system be created to produce instructors for riders from beginner level upwards, to ensure high quality instruction as well as proper safety and welfare standards. • That a tax incentive measure be considered to encourage small thoroughbred breeders to reinvest and buy new broodmare stock. • That the practice of inspections of the Irish Sport Horse, the Irish Draught Horse and the Connemara Pony be continued to ensure that the quality of stallions involved in the sector is guaranteed and that the reputation of the sector is protected.
Committee Chair, Andrew Doyle, TD, said: “Ireland has a long, successful and progressive history in the horse industry. This report, which we have published today, is aimed at protecting and enhancing its future. In compiling this detailed report we have met with a wide variety of stakeholders that operate within the industry. These engagements have allowed us to bring a strong resource of knowledge, opinion and expertise into this report.” “We believe that, should these recommendations be implemented, we can realise even greater potential of what is already a world-class indigenous industry. The industry is made up of many sectors that bring economic, cultural and social growth across the board and this report can act as the next step securing its success into the future. I would like to pay tribute to my colleagues on the Committee who have worked in a collaborative manner to bring forward this report.”
The report can be accessed here: http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/oireachtasbusiness/committees_list/agriculturefoodandthemarine/reports/