Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine attended the RDS Dublin Horse Show on Friday, 11th August for the occasion of the launch of Horse Sport Ireland’s (HSI) research report on environmental and sustainability matters within the equine industry.
The Minister also took the opportunity to attend many of the activities and events at the show, including the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Ireland, with the Aga Khan trophy going to the winning team.
At the launch of the report entitled Environmental Sustainability: Equestrianism, Equine Breeding and Equine Sport, the Minister commended both the HSI and the British Equestrian Federation, for “their collaboration in the research underpinning the report and its recommendations”.
Minister McConalogue noted that: “the report provides us with a baseline of the environmental and sustainability awareness within the equestrian community, along with an overview of the challenges facing the industry, areas of opportunity, and importantly some examples of great environmental practices within the community”.
The Minister, commenting on the environmental and sustainability challenges facing the equine industry, said that: “stakeholders must come together and work hand in hand to ensure that our practices adapt with evolving times, embracing eco-friendly technologies, promoting sustainable land management, and reducing carbon footprint.”
Minister McConalogue restated his and Government’s commitment to the development of the Irish Sport Horse Industry with €5.2 million allocated to Breeding Initiatives and Marketing in 2023. These services being delivered under contract by Horse Sport Ireland and the Irish Horse Board, respectively.
In addition, the Minister mentioned the Equine Infrastructure grant scheme (Equine Technical Support). Minister McConalogue stated that this scheme is “worth €850,000 per annum and is aimed at specific projects in the areas of fostering breeding, marketing, educational and disease prevention research within the equine/sport horse sector.”
Earlier this year, TAMS 3, the 3rd round of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme was introduced. Minister McConalogue noted that this “included equine farming for the first time” and he commended “the valuable input of HSI, the Equine Farming Taskforce, the IFA Horse Project Committee, Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association, and many others in collectively articulating the need for including the equine industry for such supports”.
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