Coveney signs law strengthening powers over seizure of horses

Government authorities now have greater powers to seize and detain horses which fail to comply with regulations on mandatory animal passports and microchips.

At yesterday’s Animal Welfare Conference held in Dublin Castle, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney signed the regulations into law, thus strengthening State powers on the seizure of horses and documents.

Mr Coveney said: “Current legislation provides that all equine animals must be identified and those equines identified on or after July 1, 2009, must be issued with a passport and must have a corresponding microchip implanted by a veterinary surgeon.