A CENTRALISED EQUINE database is to be set-up following the Europe-wide horsemeat scandal.
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney announced the plan that will be set-up on the Animal Identification and Movement system, which contains data on cattle, sheep and pigs.
Records and registration details for horses are already being put on the database from passport issuing organisations over the bank holiday weekend.
“The information on the central equine database will be used by my Department’s veterinary staff to supplement the current checks at slaughterhouses,” said Minister Coveney.
It is expected that there will be data for over 70 per cent of equine animals registered since 1 January 1980 on the database by 7 May.
The Minister also wants a single passport issuing organisation. He is awaiting proposals from the the EU Commission to amend existing legislation to facilitate Departments in taking over the responsibility for issuing passports. In the meantime, the Minister intends to work with passport organisations to introduce a new system.
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