6,599 sport horses worth €26 million are exported
In total, 6,599 horses to the value of €26 million were exported, and net sport horse exports were €15.9m, according to a new UCD report entitled Economic Contribution of the Sport Horse Industry to the Irish Economy.
The findings of this report show that the sport horse industry contributes more than €708m to the economy, and provides 12,512 full-time job equivalents in the horse breeding, competition and leisure sectors.
This is achieved with a relatively low level of investment of €3m per annum from the Government.
In order to grow the Irish sport horse industry, the report authors say an increase in financial investment from the Government is essential.
The sport horse population was estimated at 124,000, with over 47,000 people estimated to be involved in the industry, and some 29,295 deriving all or part of their income from the sector.
After launching the report, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said: “The sport horse sector is an important part of the economic and social fabric of rural Ireland. I am very pleased my department was able to fund the project through the National Development Plan and I want to compliment UCD and Horse Sport Ireland for the way in which the project results were presented”.
The report was commissioned by Horse Sport Ireland and prepared under the guidance of Dr Alan Fahey of the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, who said: “There are many facets to the sport horse sector and when you pull them all together in a study such as this it demonstrates that it is a sector which has very important part to play in our economy. For a relatively modest Government investment, it makes a very significant impact.” Horse Sport Ireland chairman Joe Walsh said: “It will be very helpful in demonstrating how important the sport horse sector is to every parish and village in Ireland.”
