THERE has been a dramatic reduction in the number of stray horses seized nationally for 2020 with almost a fivefold reduction recorded.

That’s according to figures released in the Daíl by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue (FF) in response to TD questions on equine welfare in Munster.

“Efforts to reduce the number of stray horses are paying off. 817 horses were seized nationally in 2020, down significantly from a peak of 4,923 in 2014,” said Minister McConalogue.

He was responding to questions from Cork North Central Deputy Thomas Gould (SF) who asked what role the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) is playing to resolve what he termed were “serious issues in relation to equine welfare” in Cork city.

In response, Minister McConalogue said that the Programme for Government specifically commits to the robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

Minister McConalogue added: “Figures provided by Cork City Council for the same period (2020) show a reduction in horse seizures from 176 in 2014 to 12 in 2020.”

The Minister said that DAFM enforces the law and had addressed and resolved a number of welfare issues in the Cork City and county area in recent years, working closely with Gardaí and the ISPCA.

“Officials in my Department are aware that the issues referred to by the Deputy are in relation to the control of horses on Council land in Cork City.

“The Control of Horses Act 1996 provides powers to local authorities, enabling them to control stray and wandering horses in their areas. Enforcement of the Act is a matter for each Local Authority, and they have powers under the act to appoint authorised officers within their area,” said Minister McConalogue.

Equine Census deadline

Meanwhile, the official date for the return of forms for the State’s inaugural Equine Census passed by yesterday, Friday, December 17th.

Any person keeping horses, ponies, donkeys or mules overnight on November 30th, 2021 was required to submit a completed census return to DAFM, either online or via post by that date.

The purposes of the equine census is to provide updated information on the number of equines in the State, an essential tool in the event of a serious equine disease outbreak, addressing public health concerns and dealing with lost, stolen or straying animals.

DAFM’s preference was that equine census returns were to be submitted online via agfood.ie.

Paper forms were posted to all equine keepers registered with DAFM. A copy of that form is also available for download on the DAFM website.

Livestock census ongoing

DAFM also conducts an annual sheep and goat census, which is generally undertaken on December 31st each year. As with the equine census, online submission is the preferred option but paper returns are also accepted.

An extended deadline of February 14th, 2022 is available to keepers who submit a return online.