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To: The Government of Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and relevant local authorities

End Horse Fairs in Ireland and Put Animal Welfare First 🇮🇪

Photo credit: Photo by Gian Paul Guinto on Unsplash (photo for illustration purposes only)

We call on the Irish Government to:

  1. Review the future of horse fairs and assess whether these events can consistently meet the highest animal welfare standards.

  2. Examine the legal options for phasing out or prohibiting horse fairs where animal welfare cannot be adequately protected.

  3. Improve transparency and accountability by publishing appropriate information about inspections, welfare concerns, enforcement actions and outcomes.

  4. Strengthen enforcement of existing animal welfare and animal trading laws, ensuring sufficient resources for inspections and follow-up.

  5. Prioritise animal welfare over tradition and commercial interests, while exploring humane alternatives to animal trading at public fairs.

Why is this important?

Animals are sentient beings who deserve protection, dignity and proper care. Tradition must never take precedence over their welfare.

According to reports concerning the 2026 Ballinasloe Horse Fair, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) responded to 61 logged animal welfare concerns during three days of inspections. The NSPCA reported that 26 animals were taken into its care following 17 separate seizures. A further 20 issues were addressed through on-site advice, and 12 formal warnings were issued.

The NSPCA also stated that the majority of horses on display were in good condition. However, the reported interventions raise important questions about the welfare challenges associated with animal trading at large public fairs.
Ireland

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Updates

2026-10-17 05:16:14 +0100

100 signatures reached

2026-10-16 19:49:42 +0100

50 signatures reached

2026-10-16 16:42:15 +0100

25 signatures reached

2026-10-16 15:19:40 +0100

10 signatures reached