The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association has sought €16.26 million from the State under the next National Development Plan to help the industry to provide rural communities with a viable alternative to mainstream farming.

The funding would be in addition to "self-help" measures already funded by the sector.

The thoroughbred horse sector is one of the few areas of Irish agriculture that has shown significant growth in the past six years and has the potential to contribute significantly to rural economies, said Eimear Mulhern,chairwoman of the breeders' EU committee.

She said the association's submission to the Minister for Agriculture and Food Mary Coughlan contained five measures which were vital to strengthen the industry.

The industry has sought €2.76 million for training programmes to educate producers about modern production methods and €2.5 million to support equine initiatives that contribute to the sustainability of rural communities, create employment and boost tourism. It also sought €3 million to continue research in areas such as health, welfare, production and equine performance through the Irish Equine Centre, and €8 million towards modern housing and handling facilities.

The submission also sought €600,000 towards the representation of the sector in the expanded EU and emerging markets. The organisation estimates that sales of Irish thoroughbreds in 2005 had an estimated value of at least €308 million.

The breeders' association said that production is in the hands of the small producer, with 93 per cent of the broodmare population owned by farmers with four mares or fewer. These are complemented by a number of large Irish and international breeders establishing farms. The industry employs around 18,000 people full time and approximately 2,250 part time.