The Horses (Zootechnical Standards) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009

PART 2 Recognition of Organisations

Criteria for recognition

3.—(1) In order to become a recognised organisation, an organisation or association must—

(a) submit an application for recognition as a recognised organisation to the Department;

(b) maintain or establish a stud book; and

(c) satisfy the criteria referred to in the Schedule to these Regulations.

(2) Subject to regulation 4, the Department must recognise any organisation or association which satisfies the criteria set out in paragraph (1).

Refusal to recognise and withdrawal of recognition from organisations

4.—(1) The Department must refuse to recognise, or must withdraw recognition from, an organisation or association which—

(a) fails to satisfy the criteria for recognition set out in regulation 3(1);

(b) fails to comply with regulation 6; or

(c) fails to comply with regulation 7.

(2) Where a recognised organisation already exists in respect of a particular breed of horse, the Department may refuse to recognise an organisation or association representing the same breed of horse if—

(a) it considers that recognising the organisation or association would—

(i) endanger the preservation of that breed of horse;

(ii) jeopardise the operation of the existing recognised organisation; or

(iii) jeopardise the improvement or selection programme of the existing recognised organisation; or

(b) an existing recognised organisation allows horses of that breed to be entered in a section of its studbook which it maintains in accordance with the rules laid down by the recognised organisation maintaining the stud book of the origin of that breed.

(3) Where the Department refuses to recognise, or withdraws recognition from, an organisation or association in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2), the reasons for that refusal or withdrawal must be given to that organisation or association in writing.

Representation to the Department

5.—(1) A person may make representations in writing against a refusal to recognise, or a withdrawal of recognition from, an organisation or association under regulation 4 to a person appointed for the purpose by the Department.

(2) The appointed person must consider the representations and report in writing to the Department.

(3) The Department must give written notification of its final determination and the reasons for it.