Minister launches new equine identification and traceability booklet
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has launched a new booklet ‘All you need to know about Equine Identification and Traceability’.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has launched a new booklet entitled ‘All you need to know about Equine Identification and Traceability’.
This publication, showcased at the Dublin Horse Show, is the latest action under the Minister’s plan to improve Ireland’s equine traceability system based on the recommendations of Professor Patrick Wall’s report.
Its objective is to support horse owners and keepers and all involved in the equine sector in meeting their legal obligations in relation to traceability.
The booklet provides clear and accessible information under five key headings:
1. Identification and Registration
2. Record keeping
3. Buying and selling horses
4. International movement of horses
5. End of Life
In launching the booklet Minister Heydon spoke about why the Dublin Horse Show was the perfect event for this initiative.
“The Dublin Horse Show is a cornerstone of Ireland’s equestrian calendar and an important international showcase for the world-class talent of our sport horse sector.
"Ireland’s renown for the highest standards of breeding and performance is built on our reputation as a nation of horse lovers committed to equine welfare.
"Protecting this reputation means ensuring all our horses have the highest welfare standards and this is only possible through robust traceability.
"This new booklet is part of my Department’s ongoing commitment to improving our equine traceability system so that our deserved reputation for producing high-quality, well cared for horses is assured.”
The booklet is now available in both print and digital formats and is available through relevant stakeholders including Horse Sport Ireland, the Irish Horse Board and Teagasc. The digital version of the booklet is available at Horses (www.gov.ie).
Meanwhile, a public consultation on equine traceability was launched in mid-July.
Improving equine traceability has been a priority for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) over the last number of years and incremental improvements have been made, including the introduction of an equine census and online microchip checker.
Following the broadcast of the RTÉ Investigates documentary on horses in June 2024 highlighting issues with equine traceability, the Department asked Professor Patrick Wall to undertake a root and branch review of the whole traceability system.
The scope of the review included all aspects relating to identification, registration and traceability of equines in Ireland with a view to enhancing the integrity and security of the overall system. Professor Wall engaged with stakeholders across the whole equine sector and proposed several wide-ranging recommendations.
Professor Wall’s report was published on March 20, along with an action plan, both of which can be viewed at www.equineid.ie
The purpose of this consultation is to gather ideas on how best to deliver the recommendations of Professor Wall’s report, with the aim of creating a sustainable and effective equine traceability system. The engagement of key stakeholders and the wider public will be critical to the successful development, finalisation and implementation of this system.
Interested individuals, groups, or organisations are invited to share their views on equine traceability in Ireland by completing the online survey available via gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/consultations/public-consultation-on-equine-traceability/
The survey is hosted on EUSurvey, a survey platform that is supported by the European Commission.
Should you prefer to email, you can forward your views to HorseID@agriculture.gov.ie
The closing date for the survey is September 8, 2025, at 5pm.
