PROFESSOR Patrick Wall has warned if the current loopholes in Ireland’s equine traceability are not addressed, the country will face further reputational damage.

Wall, who is a vet, a medical doctor, former chairman of Horse Sport Ireland and a food safety expert, was commissioned by the Department of Agriculture to carry out a ‘root-and-branch’ review of Ireland’s equine traceability system. This followed the broadcast of an RTÉ Investigates documentary last June, highlighting major flaws within the industry.