Report ofMeeting of Equine Liaison Committee held in Backweston on 9 September 2013.

Attendance: Dept: Martin Blake, CVO; Michael Sheahan SSVI; Sally Gaynor SVI; John Melville SVI; June Fanning SVI and Kathleen OConnor. Industry: A Corbally HSI; D. Leadon IEC; Debbie Black ECNI; S Nelson DARDNI; N Hannon, Irish Harness Racing Club; J OConnor ITBA; D Collins ITM, Caroline Kennedy UCD and A. Munnelly BBA Ireland Ltd

Update on Review of Tripartite Agreement (TPA)

Mr Blake updated the group on progress to date on the review of the TPA between Ireland, France and the UK which had begun in November last when the three members met to consider whether changes were necessary to the Agreement consequent on the disease situation. The upshot from that meeting and from subsequent meetings between the 3 members and industry representatives is that a new Agreement is to be agreed to allow for ‘free’ movement to/from Ireland/UK and France under an agreed DOCOM system. (It is important to reiterate that there is no discussion in respect of any suggested changes relating to trade between Ireland and the UK – but any changes in regard to TPA in regard to travel to and from France might set a precedent for future IRL/UK travel.) Horses moving between Ireland and UK directly to slaughter are not covered by the current TPA and will continue to need a health certificate.

The new TPA is based on five overarching principles:

o Traceability

o Health assurance

o Ease of administration

o Clarity for stakeholders

o Ease of control and enforcement

TPA eligibility is being limited to defined groups of equidae that are managed or governed by sporting associations, industry federations or similar bodies that can provide assurances on health status and the traceability of the horses under their jurisdiction. These equine groupings are

  • Thoroughbreds used for racing, breeding, in training or moving to a sale (also French registered AQPS horses).
  • Sporting horses competing in an FEI sponsored competition.
  • French breeding stallions backed by SIRE (central identification database)

Health requirements

The health status of equidae moving under the TPA must be demonstrably higher than the standards required for general movement of equidae travelling with a health certificate within the EU, as contained in Council Directive 2009/156 EC. The assurances provided should be grounded on and supported by recognised codes of practice or accepted best practice within the sector concerned and should cover the diseases compulsory notifiable as well as Contagious Equine Metritis, Equine viral arteritis, Epizootic lymphangitis, Surra, Equine influenza, Equine piroplasmosis, Equine rhinopneumonitis, Trichinellosis, Echinococcosis / hydatidosis, Japanese encephalitis and New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax). Equidae moving under this Agreement should be subject to regular veterinary supervision to ensure that a genuinely high health status is maintained. This should include regular veterinary surveillance, vaccination and bio-security including transport. Industry organisations must also be able to provide information on the premises or event to which horses are initially moved if possible by a reference to a database. This information will be made available to relevant competent authorities to assist a veterinary investigation in the event that such becomes necessary.

Industry bodies who are assigned TPA privileges must operate the agreed DOCOM system ( a similar system is currently in use for animal by-products) (this was explained by John Melville) as a mechanism to capture data in respect of the movement of the animals and generate a document which will accompany the animal whilst moving under TPA rules.

Equidae must show no clinical sign of disease at time of loading. The owner or breeder must be able to demonstrate that there are no grounds for concluding that the equidae have been in contact with equidae suffering from an infectious or contagious disease during the 15 days immediately prior to embarkation.

DOCOM Proposal

Approved industry bodies would be responsible for entering the details onto TRACES and for monitoring data on the system to ensure compliance with TPA eligibility criteria. Industry bodies could delegate responsibility for entering data on TRACES to agents but they would remain ultimately responsible. Entry of data would include a declaration linked to the eligibility criteria so that we can be clear, in each case, what TPA privileges are being claimed.

Discussion: While there was general welcome for this development, members cautioned that administration might prove difficult and said that training would have to be provided. They also asked that an explanatory note for issue to industry be prepared. Debbie Black asked that eligible associations/ industry groups be considered on an all-island basis. The Department intend to meet with industry bodies in Mid October.

2. Proposed Legislation on national measures in the event of an outbreak of African Horse Sickness

A draft of regulation to be made under the Animal Health and Welfare Act was presented to the Group. These would be the first regulations to be made under the new Act which provides for a limit on compensation. The limit being proposed is €2000 max. The AHS Directive (which is being transposed under the Regs) requires that equidae be slaughtered on confirmation of infection (unlike other diseases of equidae where movement restriction applies). It is likely however that any compensation payable in respect of compulsory slaughter of horses infected with a contagious disease will be capped at €2000.

Discussion: There were no objections raised to this course of action, but members undertook to submit comments (if any) in writing.

AOB

The group was given an update on the current state of play as regards equine premises registration and was advised that rigorous enforcement is getting underway. Mr Leadon suggested that the Equis assembly scheduled for Punchestown on 2 November might be considered as a possible location for awareness raising.

Mr. Sheahan also gave the group details of a proposal to introduce an amnesty for a cull of unwanted horses in advance of winter.