REGISTERED horse keepers - it’s Equine Census day.

The RTÉ Primetime Investigates documentary broadcast in June highlighted how important it is to ensure accountability for a horse’s welfare all the way through its life.

Accountability can only be delivered through robust traceability. This year’s equine census, which will take place today, November 30th 2024, is the first step towards the introduction of a new equine traceability system. If you are a registered keeper of any equines, including horses, ponies, donkeys and mules and zebras, then you are required to complete the Equine Census.

Equine Census 2024 forms have been delivered to all registered premises where equines are kept, and these must be returned. Returning your census is a legal requirement, but it is also an important way to show you believe in accountability as a responsible horse keeper.

Why it is critical that you complete your census?

Completing the Equine Census is mandatory and failure to return a census may prevent you from:

    • Registering foals
    • Exporting your horses
    • Selling your horses

    • The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is planning to introduce a new Equine Traceability System in 2025. The new system will be based on your Equine Census 2024 returns, so it is therefore critically important that you complete your census to be included.

    The submission of a 2024 equine census forms part of the eligibility criteria for Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS3).

    The census also provides the department with valuable information, particularly in disease prevention, but also in addressing public health concerns and in dealing with lost, straying or stolen horses.

    What do I need to submit?

    Information includes:

  • 1) The total number of equines present on your holding that permanently live there.
  • (a) The total number of these equines that have passports
  • (b) The total number of these equines that have yet to be issued with a passport (typically foals).
  • 2) The total number of equines present on your holding on census night that do not generally live there (visiting – for breeding, competition purposes etc.)
  • 3) ONLY in respect of the equines that permanently live on your holding and have passports (as at (1) above) - their UELNs (passport numbers) and the approx. dates on which they moved to your premises.

    • How do I submit my census?

    Paper returns are accepted, but keepers are encouraged to submit their 2024 census information online through the dedicated secure ‘Equine Census’ tile located on the ‘AIM services’ tab on the agfood.ie homepage.

    The deadline for returning census forms to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is Friday, December 20th 2024.

    Anyone seeking assistance with submitting census data, either on paper or online, should contact the department’s AIM Division by e-mail equinecensus2024@agriculture.gov.ie or by phone at 01 5058881.

    For more information, visit

    gov.ie/equinecensus2024

    It all adds up to better horse welfare.