SOME 560 horses have been exported from Ireland destined for horse abattoirs in other states since August 2024, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, has revealed.
Responding to a question in the Dáil, Minister Heydon outlined that, based on information from the TRACES system (the European Commission’s online platform for animal and plant health certification) and up until August 30th 2025, 316 horses have been exported to France for slaughter and 79 to Belgium. In 2024, 165 horses were exported for the same practice to France.
According to the TRACES system, there are no recorded movements of horses for slaughter to other EU member states prior to August 2024.
Ireland’s only licensed equine abattoir Shannonside Foods was shut down in June 2024 following an RTÉ Investigates programme, which shone a damning light on equine traceability in the country as well as alleged microchip tampering and animal welfare breaches. There has been no slaughtering facility for horses in Ireland since.
The Minister said: “The trade in equine animals for slaughter is regulated by European and Irish legislation on animal health, welfare and traceability, which my Department enforces. Equine animals traded for slaughter to other EU Member States require veterinary certification, and are subject to inspection by my Department’s official veterinarians with regard to their health, traceability and welfare.”
Abattoir status
Minister Heydon also gave a further update on the status of a new equine abattoir in the country. As previously reported, two separate entities have made expressions of interest.
Minister Heydon also told the Dáil that there are two ‘Notifications of Intent’ for equine slaughter plants submitted to the DAFM, “neither of which have yet progressed to formal application stage,” he said.
“With effect from May 2025, where approval to operate a slaughter premises is sought, applicants are required to undergo a ‘Fit and Proper Person’ assessment process. This process will be completed in advance of any consideration of the formal application.”