New EU regulations which class horses, even racing thoroughbreds, as food could cause serious problems for the equine industry here, a veterinary specialist has warned.
The legislation, which must be adopted by the Republic before next January, controls drug residue levels in foodstuffs. It sets maximum residue levels for all animal-health products in food-producing animals. Horses, including racing thoroughbreds, are classed in this category, though only in a minority of EU countries is horsemeat eaten.
"Because the equine market is such a small percentage of the overall market - at 6 per cent - many medicines currently in use will become too expensive to produce and license," said Animal and Plant Health Association director Mr Declan O'Brien. As a result, treatment options for horses including animals bred for racing and show-jumping would be reduced, he said.
Over regulation of the animal health market was not in the interests of animal welfare, he added. "Given the need to protect consumer health and animal welfare, a compromise must be negotiated."
Speaking during a visit to Kildangan Stud, Mr O'Brien said his organisation was fully aware of the threat facing the Irish horse industry if the legislation came into force unaltered.
