The provision of National Equine Breeding Services

The mission of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is to serve the Government and people of Ireland by leading, developing and regulating the agri-food sector, protecting public health and optimising social, economic and environmental benefits. The current programme for Government includes a commitment to support the development of the sport horse sector and to enhance the breeding potential of Irish sport horses. DAFM is the competent authority for the implementation of the EU Animal Breeding Regulations (Regulation (EU) 2016/1012)) which, inter alia, provides the rules for approving animal breeding programmes including the rules and standards for performance testing and genetic evaluations. As the current contract will expire in December 2026, there is a requirement to tender for the supply of this service to commence on 1st January 2027. Therefore, DAFM is requesting tenders for the supply of a National Equine Breeding Service (NBS) to the Irish sport horse sector from suitable Organisations / Bodies. The NBS includes targeted initiatives to support the breeding and production of all sport horses in Ireland. The industry document ‘Reaching New Heights’ set out recommendations to develop the sport horse sector. The industry document defines a ‘Sport Horse’ “as a riding horse of a single breed or a combination of breeds used for (or intended to be used for) recreational and competitive activities other than racing.” It notes “the primary objective of the industry is to breed and produce horses capable of competing at the highest levels in equestrian sport and also providing the foundation of a leisure and recreation industry in Ireland. The industry is a substantial business engaging people from all walks of life, both young and old, from hobby to professional levels.” The Contracting Authority considers that the term ‘horse’ also refers to ‘pony’.

The objective of the NBS is to implement strategies and initiatives in support of Irish sport horse breeders and producers, including those breeds entered in breeding books (Studbooks) recognised by the contracting authority in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/1012 (namely, Animal Breeding Regulations) on the Island of Ireland. The NBS incorporates the delivery of breeding and production incentives including the design, roll-out, funding delivery to participants and/or service providers of breeding/production schemes approved by DAFM and the delivery of knowledge transfer programmes for Irish sport horse breeders/producers.