Closing date for applications for Embyro Transfer Scheme for 2019

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS THE 30TH AUGUST 2019

Horse Sport Ireland is happy to announce that following the success of the Embyro Transfer Scheme introduced in 2017 it will continue to run the scheme in 2019.  This scheme, which is being funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will aim to increase genetic improvement by maximising the genetic potential of Ireland’s top class performance mares.

The scheme is open to mares that are 3 years or older, are registered in a DAFM approved studbook and meet the performance or progeny performance requirements (see application form for details).  The embryo transfer must take place at a designated clinic after the 1^st March 2019 and an application must be submitted before the 30^th August 2019. A payment of €600 per embryo may be payable to the owner upon submission of a veterinary declaration confirming that the recipient has been scanned in foal and a receipt from the clinic.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must comply with Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Marine legislation for equine foal passport registrations to be eligible to participate in future Embryo Transfer Schemes. Proof will be required.

Mare owners can apply for funding for up to 4 embryos under the scheme in 2019.  Semen used for the embryo transfers must be from stallions which are Approved in a WBFSH studbook or a pony studbook approved by DAFM.

This initiative has been developed in line with recommendation R.1.2 from Reaching New Heights which advocates the increased usage of AI and ET in order to accelerate the dissemination of superior genes.  The scheme will benefit the owners of performance mares, or mares that have already produced top class performance horses, through the support of the Embyro Transfer process.  Many of these mares may not otherwise be available to contribute to the breeding of sport horses in Ireland as their owners may wish for them to remain in competition or they may be incapable of carrying a foal to term.  We are very grateful to the Department of Agriculture for their support with this initiative.