CONCERNS raised by a handful of breeders at recent meetings held under the auspices of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) were addressed this week by the chief executive of Weatherbys Ireland, Russell Ferris. The main concern was over the introduction of a new 30-day foal notifications system, following its roll out 12 months earlier in Britain.

The 30-day notification was a key recommendation from the anti-doping task force report which is supported by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, Horse Racing Ireland, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, Weatherbys Ireland, the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association, the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners, and three sales companies, Goffs, Tattersalls Ireland and Goresbridge. It is administered by Weatherbys Ireland.

Breeders at meetings held in Kilmallock and Newbridge felt that perceived extra costs may be incurred, and a slightly different notification system to that in Britain, were imposing undue pressures on Irish breeders. Nonetheless, the IFA deputy president Richard Kennedy put it on record that the “IFA supports the principle of the 30-day foal notification, the purpose of which is equine welfare, transparency and traceability.”

He added that the “IFA encouraged breeders to comply with the scheme,” while adding that “any extra cost on breeders resulting from the new scheme would not be tolerated at a time when many breeders are fighting for survival.”

Russell Ferris welcomed Mr Kennedy’s support for the system. He told The Irish Field that there had been an excellent compliance rate to date with 1,909 foal births in Ireland being notified to Weatherbys Ireland compared to 863 DNA test returned by the same date last year.

Russell explained the need for a variation in the systems. “It was deemed to be much more cost effective and operationally efficient for the breeder to comply with the notification via the DNA process in Ireland. This requires no breeder interaction whatsoever, other than organising the veterinary surgeon to complete the DNA pack and also due to the lower ration of online engagement in Ireland compared to Britain.”

On the question of costs, Ferris confirmed that there was no charge for foal notification and went on to explain that under the new scheme, “linking the notification to the DNA process ensures the keeper’s address and contact details are reported on the system. This valuable data can then be used to drive future policy initiatives for the benefit of breeders and breeding industry as a whole. The early notification of foal births is widely applied across most of the leading global racing and breeding jurisdictions and this ensures that Ireland remains in-step with international welfare standards.”

In discussions prior to the introduction of the new 30-day notification process, welfare concerns were raised. Last year 11,500 foals in Ireland were DNA typed, marked and chipped, while only 9,500 were subsequently registered and had a passport issued. Russell explained that under the new scheme, “linking the notification to the DNA process ensures the keeper’s address and contact details are reported on the system.” This valuable data can then be used to drive future policy initiatives.