Crisis Management of Equine Disease Outbreaks in Ireland

On July 1st 2009 the Department of Agriculture announced Regulation No 504/2008. The regulation required all equidae (horse, zebra, donkey, mule, etc) born prior to July 1st to be micro-chipped. The aim of the regulation was to improve the system for identification of equidae by means of the implantation of a micro-chip under the skin. Each micro-chip contains a unique equine life number (UELN) and this number is recorded on the passport issued to the animal. On July 1st 2012 Ireland saw the introduction of a new law, The Horse Premises Register, (HPR) coming into force thereby making it a legal requirement for all premises containing equidae to register with the Department of Agriculture. The sole purpose of this new regulation, part of the Diseases of Animals Act 1966 was to monitor the movement of equidae affected by diseases. This research investigated the feasibility of these laws in relation to the Crisis Management of Equine Disease Outbreaks in Ireland. A proposed framework was also created to help support owners and carers when equine disease outbreaks occur.