Debate contribution: Equine Registration and Horse Passports

Debate contribution by Mr Doug Beattie MC on 7 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Doug Beattie MC
Party at the time: Independent
Date: 7 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Equine Registration and Horse Passports
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5669997

Text

I thank the Minister for his answer. He is right that there is a process to go through, and I accept that. However, he will also be aware of Professor Patrick Wall's report on equine welfare-led reform. That report was not commissioned here but by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and 11 of its recommendations affect Northern Ireland. One of those recommendations was the rationale for our implementation of the arrangements around identification, traceability and keepers/owners. The report contained another 10 recommendations. Is the Minister able to give us an update on where we are with those other 10 recommendations, particularly around inspection regimes, database control and enforcement?

112 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Oral question AQO 3867/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

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