Outgoing HRI chief Kavanagh welcomes rollout of first equine census in Ireland

Plans for Ireland's first equine census have been welcomed by Horse Racing Ireland chief executive Brian Kavanagh, who says the sport's governing body is working closely with Weatherbys and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board to enhance traceability systems.

Agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue announced his department will undertake the initiative in November, with Irish horse owners of all breeds required to submit a completed census return within a specified timeline.

The move facilitates compliance with new EU animal health law regulation that requires the habitual residence of every equine to be recorded on a central database, having been introduced in April 2021. This is generally the premises at which an equine resides for a period of more than 30 days.

Irish equine census: designed to create an initial link between each equine kept in Ireland and their location on census dayCredit: Patrick McCann

Designed to create an initial link between each equine kept in Ireland and their location on census day, a profile of all horses is set to be created on the department’s animal identification and movement system, also expected to increase compliance with equine legislation.

"I think it's helpful," Kavanagh told the Racing Post.

"It may be more directed at the non-thoroughbred side of things because there's a much bigger population of horses there – I have to study the announcement – but anything that helps with traceability and fully understanding the whereabouts of equines is welcome."

McConalogue added: "The undertaking of this first equine census is one of a series of measures I propose to initiate to support the welfare of equidae and is one of my department's listed priorities for 2021.

"It is also in keeping with my commitment to review and enhance the equine identification and traceability system with a view to better supporting equine welfare, as set out in Ireland's welfare strategy 2021-25, published by my department following consultation with stakeholders."

Brian Kavanagh: HRI chief executive says governing body is working with Weatherbys and the IHRB to enhance traceability systemsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Pressed on what could be the next step related to greater traceability systems in Irish racing, Kavanagh said: "You're looking at things like the registration of unnamed horses. At the minute you can only return horses in training if they're named.

"The enforcement of the 30-day notification of foal births to Weatherbys has been voluntary and I think we'll look to make that more mandatory as time goes on."

He added: "There are also things like the recording of locations of horses when they're being returned out of training. In the past, a trainer would just return a horse out of training, now they must tell us where that horse is going, even if it's just for summer rest or permanently being taken out of training.

"All of those things will assist with traceability and there's a technology piece to back that up being done with Weatherbys and the IHRB."

Equine census details are to be submitted online by equine keepers via agfood.ie.

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