The Horse Passport (England) Regulations 2004
The Horse Passport (England) Regulations 2004 were fully implemented on the 28th February 2005, after this date all horses are required to have a passport.
Q1. Who needs a passport?
The owner of any horse that was born on or before 30th November 2003, that does not already have a passport, should have applied for a passport for it, before 1st July 2004. The owner of a horse that was born after 30th November 2003 shall obtain a passport for it on or before 31st December of the year of its birth, or by six months after its birth. For the purpose of these regulations, the term “horse” includes any domestic horse, donkey, mule, hinny, or jennet. A horse cannot be sold without a passport after 28th February 2005. Veterinary certificates are not passports.
For horses that already have passports that were issued prior to the above Regulations, the passport should have been returned to the passport issuing-organisation to have the necessary Section IX pages inserted before 1st July 2004.
Q2. What’s in the passport and how do I get one?
A horse passport is a document, written in both English and French, which uniquely identifies a horse throughout its life, and has been issued by a recognised Passport Issuing organisation (PIO). It includes pages that show a silhouette of the horse (which must be completed by a veterinary surgeon or a competent person authorised by a PIO), pages that show the veterinary treatment history of the horse, pages that include the movement history of the horse, and a declaration as to whether or not the horse is ultimately intended for human consumption.
A list of passport issuing authorities is available from this service using the contact details at the top of the page.
Q3. Why does my horse need a passport?
Horse passports are required by European Decision 2000/68/EC, and are necessary in order to prevent horses entering the human food chain if they have been treated with medicines that must not be administered to food producing animals. Although we do not consume horsemeat in any great quantity in the UK, a large number of horses are slaughtered in Britain each year for export for human consumption.
The introduction of passports will also help reduce the risk of a ban being introduced on up to 75% of veterinary medicines (including Bute) currently used to treat horses.
The information provided in the passports is also intended to be used to set up a database of horses throughout England, this information will be utilised to try and trace missing or stolen horses.
Q4. How much will a passport cost?
The cost of a passport is the individual decision of the PIO’s authorised to issue them. Some organisations have advised that they may issue cheaper passports for riding schools and charities or for bulk applications. Owners may wish to check this on application.
Q5. How long are passports valid for?
Passports are valid for the entire lifetime of the horse.
Q6. What if I buy or sell a Horse?
When a horse is sold, the seller must give the passport to the buyer (or in the case of auction sales, to the auctioneers, who must then give the passport to the buyer). The new owner or his representative must, within 30 days send the following information to the passport issuing organisation:
- The name and address of the new owner; and
- The name and identification number or alphanumeric code of the horse as entered in Section II of the passport, and shall complete Section I of the passport in accordance with the rules of the passport-issuing organisation.
Q7. Do I need a passport before I sell my horse?
Yes.
Q8. Will passports be required for foals?
Yes.
Q9. When must the passport accompany a horse?
From 28th February 2005 horses moving under the following circumstances must be accompanied by their passport.
- into or out of Great Britain
- for the purpose of competition or breeding
- to other premises to receive veterinary treatment (the passport must also be available to any veterinary surgeon or other person administering veterinary products on the premises where the horse is kept)
- to the premises of a new keeper
- to a slaughterhouse for slaughter
- for the purpose of sale
Q10. Can a veterinary surgeon treat a horse that is not accompanied by its passport?
Yes.
Q12. Disposal routes for horses
Information on the disposal routes for horses can be obtained by calling your local Defra Animal Health Divisional Office on 08459 33 55 77.
This is merely a broad précis of the regulations. Copies of the regulations themselves, a list of Recognised organisations, and frequently asked questions, may be found on the DEFRA website at www.defra.gov.uk.
This is not an authoritative document on the law, and is only intended for guidance. In the interests of brevity, some details have been omitted. Further information can be obtained from contacting our Animal Health Officer on the details above.
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