DERMOT Weld has added his voice to the campaign aiming to ensure the continued free movement of horses between Ireland and Britain post-Brexit.

Weld told RTE: “The movement of horses happens daily and continually for major race meetings like Royal Ascot, Epsom, Cheltenham and right across Europe.

“We race horses all over Europe so it is very, very important for the racing industry and equally important for the breeding industry where mares go on a daily basis to stud farms across England. The relationship between the two countries is vital.”

The other main concern outlined by Weld is the transport of horses to the two racecourses in Northern Ireland, Downpatrick and Down Royal, who between them host 26 racedays on the calendar.

Weld said: “When we had the original old border, there was always the danger when you brought horses to the North that they could be held up for a while. That’s a long time ago. We don’t need that again. We need free borders.”

CONSULTANCY GROUP

The Department of Agriculture has set up an equine consultancy group to address the Brexit issues and it includes representatives from Horse Racing Ireland, Horse Sport Ireland and the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association. Shane O’Dwyer, chief executive of the ITBA, said: “We need to make it clear that we want no change to the tripartite agreement which allows the free movement of horses between Ireland, England and France. We have met with the EU commissioner Phil Hogan and are working with the British and French to present a strong case in Brussels.

“We want a soft border with Northern Ireland for horse transport and we want to ensure the continued availability of medicines.

“The TBA [British breeders] warn us that DEFRA [British Department of Agriculture] holds the equine sector at a lower priority than we do. We have lobbied Brendan Gleeson in our Department to ensure that it gets a high priority at the negotiating table.”

CHINA BOOST

Meanwhile, in more positive news for the industry, Ireland has strengthened its relationship with China after Minister Michael Creed signed an updated protocol with his Chinese counterpart Minister Zhi Shuping regarding the export of Irish horses to China.

The update, requested by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will allow horses not born in Ireland, but present here for six months, to be exported to China. Up to now, only horses born in Ireland were allowed to be exported to China under the protocol, which was signed in 2012.