Having read the Equine Farming Task Force’s submission regarding funding for the sector under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) I am convinced that it is the best advocacy for horse breeders I have yet witnessed. It is factual, focused and fervent in making its case for parity within Irish farming. I caught up with Michael Doherty, who along with fellow west of Ireland breeders Noel Kilroy, Patrick Hester, John Murphy and Joseph O’Brien was one of its authors.

Having studied equine business at NUI Maynooth and worked in Horse Sport Ireland for eight years, Michael is now back helping to run the family’s Quarryfield sheep and horse farm in Sligo. Michael is well versed in both the technical and practical side of the issue, commenting: “I have my own show jumping-orientated sport horse breeding programme, with one to five foals a year.”

Recalling the genesis of the submission he comments: “Back in 2020 the Mayo Roscommon Horse Breeders Group began to highlight the disparity between equine farming and other sectors in relation to TAMS and CAP funding. While in the Department of Agriculture’s own definition of farming there was a significant inclusion of equine farming, this sector was virtually disregarded when it came to schemes for fencing, buildings and other farm improvements.”

Michael also highlights that 27,000 farmers on the Department of Agriculture’s database have an equine element to their enterprise. Under TAMS, agricultural sectors such as beef, sheep and dairy can get up to €80,000 in grant assistance. However, equine farmers could only apply for a 40% grant on a horse stocks up to a value of €1,380.

“As part of the Department of Agriculture’s consultation process [the Equine Farming Task Force] wanted equine farming’s submission to be a credible call for parity of esteem. The task force is made up of individuals who are solely involved in the sport horse sector. That is our primary focus. But, if we are successful in getting equine inclusion under TAMS or CAP then we are happy for thoroughbred breeders to benefit as well,” says Doherty.

“The sport horse sector contributes over €800m to the Irish economy. The thoroughbred sector’s contribution is €1.2bn.

“While our submission is being examined along with others, our focus is to raise awareness among equine farmers that there are schemes and payments available that they may currently not be benefiting from,” concluded Doherty.