Joan Bateman, Traditional Irish Horse Association, Thornberry House, Curraghchase, Adare, Co Limerick.

Madam, I would like to thank and compliment Minister Simon Coveney, Professor Pat Wall, HSI, the RDS, Teagasc and Ms Mairead McGuinness for participating in and organising the series of open meetings in relation to the sport horse sector. No doubt there is a long road ahead of the industry, but the positive and inclusive approach they have adopted has to be applauded. The professional manner in which these meetings have been organised is, in my opinion, refreshing and reassuring.

However, it was with huge shock and sadness that I read the article in the Irish Independent Farming supplement dated April 8th, 2014, in relation to the importation and classification of sport horses.

If unproven six- and seven-year-old horses are being automatically awarded valuable show jumping points (76 points minimum- up to maximum of 150 given to seven-year-olds) without having genuinely earned these points in competition, it completely undermines the credibility of the Irish breeders in an already difficult and financially-strapped sector.

Having attended one of the strategic planning meetings in Gort, and closely following the reports in the media from the other meetings in Trim, Kilkenny and Carrigaline, one of the key issues of concern which has been raised repeatedly at all of the meetings was the need to improve our mare herd.

We need to put in place incentives and policies that will secure the future supply of quality, sound stock.

Our sport horse sector is now competing in the global market and we have to get our end product right. We have to address our breeding policies and be deliberate and selective in our approach to breeding. We need to be able to compete on a level playing pitch. Surely, clarity and confidence in our product has to be a priority.

How can the Irish farmer breeder survive if the contents of the aforementioned article are accurate, and sadly we have no reason to believe otherwise. This matter has to be addressed. It would be helpful if the powers that be, who are responsible for these regulations, would come forward and explain the thinking behind them.

In my mind, they can only spell the kiss of death for the Irish breeder and the traditional Irish horse. I look forward to some explanation and clarity on this matter.