Horse Passports
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q1. How will the horse passports Regulations affect owners of horses?
Q2. Why are passports required?
Q3. What are the other benefits of the horse legislation?
Q4. How do I get a passport?
Q5. How much will a passport cost?
Q6. How long are passports valid for?
Q7. How are horses identified in the passport?
Q8. I have already got a passport - why do I need to do anything else?
Q9. I have more than one passport for my horse - what should I do?
Q10. I have a British Horse Database (BHD) passport - is it still valid?
Q11. I have a F.E.I. passport - what shall I do?
Q12. I am permanently importing a horse into England from a country outside the EU - will I need to obtain a passport?
Q13. What do I do if I am permanently importing a horse into England from another EU Member State?
Q14. I am temporarily importing a horse into horse into England from a country - will I need to obtain a passport?
Q15. What shall I do if the passport requires updating with change of address or new ownership details?
Q16. I am the permanent keeper of a horse - am I responsible for obtaining the passport?
Q17. Do I need a passport before I sell my horse?
Q18. What is the purpose of the new section IX on the passport?
Q19. What medications must be recorded within the section IX pages?
Q20. If I sell my horse, can its new owner change the declaration?
Q21. Will I need a passport if my horse is never intended for human consumption or will not travel abroad?
Q22. Will semi-feral horses require a passport?
Q23. Will passports be required for foals?
Q24. When does the horse need to be accompanied by its horse passport?
Q25. Can a veterinary surgeon treat a horse that is not accompanied by its passport?
Q26. Who will enforce the requirements?
Q27. What is the Unique Equine Life Number (UELN) that is included on the passports?
Q28. What is the National Equine Database?
Q29. What do I do if I lose my passport?
Q30. Disposal routes for horses
Q31. Import and export of Horses
Q32. I live in Wales/Scotland/Northern Ireland. Does the Horse Passport regulation still apply?
Q33. Are there any restrictions on the use of horses without passports, and if so from when do they apply?
Q34. Who should I contact for further information?

Q1. How will the horse passports Regulations affect owners of horses?

A1. The Horse Passports (England) Regulations 2004 require all owners to obtain a passport for each horse they own. This includes ponies, donkeys, and other equidae but excludes zebras. After 28 February 2005, owners will not be able to sell, buy, export, slaughter for human consumption, use for the purposes of competition or breeding a horse which does not have a passport. If they have not already done so, owners of animals born before 30 November 2003 should take action now to apply for a passport so that they will not be restricted in using their horse as they wish after 28 February 2005. Horses born after 30 November 2003 will require a passport by the 31st December in the year of birth or by 6 months of age, whichever is later. Owners already holding a passport should check to make sure it is fully compliant with the new legislation.

Q2. Why are passports required?

A2. The introduction of the legislation will bring the UK in line with laws across the whole of the European Union, including the accession states. The legislation underpins a robust control system to ensure that horses which have been treated with veterinary medicines not authorised for use in food-producing animals cannot be slaughtered for human consumption. If the UK does not comply, we run the risk of losing 70% of horse medicines including bute. The UK Veterinary authorities have stressed the importance of this measure for horse welfare in the UK.

Q3. What are the other benefits of the horse legislation?

A3. The Government and the horse industry believe that other benefits will be realised if all horses have a passport. For example, by discouraging the indiscriminate breeding of horses and ponies that may be of low quality or value. Further benefits will be realised from the proposed National Equine Database (NED) that will record details of every horse issued with a passport in the UK. This includes a disincentive to breed low value or low quality stock as well as discouraging theft. Our capability to monitor disease and prevent outbreaks will be improved because we will have information about the numbers of horses and contact details for owners. It is envisaged that the NED will provide the equine industry with information for enhanced breeding programmes and research.

Q4. How do I get a passport?

A4. Every owner of horses must obtain a passport for each horse they own. This is done by application to one of the Passport Issuing Organisations (PIOs) that have been authorised by Defra or the devolved administrations (Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) to issue horse passports. Some of these organisations deal with only one particular breed of horse; others will issue passports for all types of horses. A list of recognised organisations authorised to issue passports can be found on the Defra website www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tracing/horses/horses_index.htm

Information may also be obtained from the Defra helpline Tel: 08459 335577.

Owners may wish to check how long any particular PIO is taking to issue a passport in order to comply with the 28 February 2005 enforcement date.

Q5. How much will a passport cost?

A5. The cost of a passport is the individual decision of the private sector equine organisations authorised to issue them. However, the cost incurred will include a fee from the Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO) plus the fee from the vet (if this is applicable - see question 10.) 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.

Q6. How long are passports valid for? A6. Passports are valid for the entire lifetime of the horse.

Q7. How are horses identified in the passport?

A7. As from 1 February 2004, completed passport applications must contain silhouettes that have been verified and signed by either a veterinary surgeon or a competent representative from a recognised PIO. We have taken this measure to ensure that silhouettes are completed to a high standard and are verified independently. They will therefore more effectively identify the horse to which the passport relates.

If the rules of the PIO allow, a horse owner may complete and verify the passport silhouette providing that the animal is microchipped at the time the passport application is made. At present, microchips can only be used in addition to completed silhouettes. The Minister (Alun Michael) personally supports the introduction of microchips as they provide a more effective means of identification, but until the European system for horse identification changes he can only encourage their use. Any microchip inserted must not begin with the 826 UK code. Passport Issuing Organisations will provide guidance on the type of microchip that can be used.

Some PIOs will also transfer a silhouette to the passport from other existing certification e.g. vaccination certificates or documentation. These silhouettes can be accepted at the discretion of the PIO and providing that it contains the same information as required by European rules and that it has been signed by a veterinary surgeon or person with proven competency to do the job. Freezebranding cannot be used in place of the silhouette as a method of identification for passport purposes.

Q8. I have already got a passport - why do I need to do anything else?

A8. Only passports issued by authorised PIOs will be valid under the new legislation. If you have a horse passport that has been issued by an authorised PIO, it will need to be updated if it doesn?t include the new Section IX pages. If you have been issued with a passport or identification papers (with completed silhouette) by an organisation that is not authorised, you may be still able to send these papers to an authorised PIO for insertion into a passport. Your passport will then meet the requirements of the new legislation. Vaccination Certificates and Joint Measurement Board (JMB) Certificates are not passports.

Q9. I have more than one passport for my horse - what should I do?

A9. Owners who find themselves with more than one passport for a horse should choose which passport they wish to keep. If necessary this passport should then be returned to the PIO who issued it in order for it to be updated to comply with the new regulations. Any other passports should be returned to the organisation which originally issued them for cancellation.

Q10. I have a British Horse Database (BHD) passport - is it still valid?

A10. Yes. All passports issued by an organisation on the list of passport issuing organisations are valid. In addition, although the BHD are not issuing new passports, Weatherbys will be updating existing passports with the required veterinary medication pages and changes of ownership for a small fee.

Q11. I have a F.E.I. passport - what shall I do?

A11. Owners of horses with F.E.I. passports should contact the British Equestrian Federation directly, to confirm that the passport meets the current requirements.

Q12. I am permanently importing a horse into England from a country outside the EU - will I need to obtain a passport?

A12. Yes. You will need to apply for a passport from one of the authorised PIOs in the UK within 30 days of importing the horse. However, if you have identification papers with a completed and certified silhouette these may (at the discretion of the individual PIO) be added to a new passport issued to comply with the new requirement.

Q13. What do I do if I am permanently importing a horse into England from another EU Member State?

A13. Horses imported from other EU Member States should be accompanied by a passport which complies with the EU legislation. If your passport needs updating (to include the new Section IX pages), you should send the passport to the organisation that issued it for updating. This can be an organisation based in the UK or in other Member States but must be an approved organisation. If the organisation is not an approved organisation (either in the UK or elsewhere in the European Union), you should get your passport updated by an authorised organisation in the UK. If a passport has not been provided you will need to apply for one.

Q14. I am temporarily importing a horse into horse into England from a country - will I need to obtain a passport?

A14. If your horse remains in the England for less than 30 days, you will not be required to obtain a passport.

Q15. What shall I do if the passport requires updating with change of address or new ownership details?

A15. Changes of ownership or change of permanent address of owner must be notified to the organisation that has issued the passport. The PIO may require that the passport be returned for updating. Similarly, the death of a horse should also be notified to the PIO. Both of the above should be notified to the relevant PIO within 30 days of occurrence.

Q16. I am the permanent keeper of a horse - am I responsible for obtaining the passport?

A16. No. It is the responsibility of the horse owner to obtain a passport. However, owners can authorise an agent to act for them in applying for passports and this may be the person who keeps the horse. The ?keeper? means a person who is not the owner of a horse but is appointed by the owner to have day to day charge of that horse. There is no minimum age limit for applying for a horse passport.

Q17. Do I need a passport before I sell my horse?

A17. Yes. A requirement of the legislation is that a passport must accompany a horse being sold. A potential buyer will be able to check that the identifying particulars are correct; and this may lead to a reduction in the sale of stolen horses. After the sale you should hand over the passport to the new owner who should then notify the passport issuing organisation of the new ownership.

Q18. What is the purpose of the new section IX on the passport?

A18. Section IX is for the owner to declare whether or not the horse is ultimately intended for human consumption. The declaration must be signed before:

  • any medication containing a substance specified in Annex IV of Council Regulation 2377/90 is administered (in this case the declaration must be signed as ?not intended for human consumption?)
  • the horse is consigned for slaughter for human consumption (declaration must be signed as ?intended for human consumption?)
  • the horse is sent outside the UK (declaration can be signed either way)

The owner can at any time prior to one of the above events choose to sign the declaration. It must be remembered that once the declaration has been signed as ?not intended for human consumption?, this can never be changed in order to protect the human food chain. Signing the ?not intended? declaration removes any option of slaughtering the animal for food at a later point in its life, and offering horse owners this new flexibility may help prevent potential welfare problems associated with animals nearing the end of their lives which cannot be sent to an abattoir. However, one consequence of this greater flexibility is that people administering medicines may need to record their use in more passports.

If the declaration that the horse is ultimately intended for human consumption is signed, the date that certain veterinary medicines are administered to the horse must be recorded on the relevant pages. Before administering any medication which contains a substance listed in Annex IV of Council Regulation 2377/90 a vet or other person administering the medicine will need to see the passport to ensure that the declaration has been signed as ?not intended for human consumption?. This is because by law no medicines not approved for food animals must be given to horses declared as intended for the human food chain. An ?intended for human consumption? declaration can be reversed.

Q19. What medications must be recorded within the section IX pages?

A19. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate website http://www.vmd.gov.uk/
provides guidance about which medicines need to be recorded in the passport. Essentially it is any veterinary medicine for which a specific marketing authorisation to enable its use in a horse (as a food animal) has not been given. Where such an authorisation is given it includes information about the gap between administering the medicine and the earliest date from which the horse can be presented for slaughter. In the absence of such authorisation the period which is set as six months in the passport legislation applies. There are ten substances which must never be given to a food animal. If one of these substances need to be administered then the ?not intended? declaration in the passport must be signed. Only two of these substances are likely to be used in the UK. A link to the European Commission website where a list of these substances can be found is also on the VMD website.

Q20. If I sell my horse, can its new owner change the declaration?

A20. Once a horse has been declared as not for human consumption a subsequent owner cannot change this. This is in order to prevent animals entering the human food chain if they have been administered with medicines that must never be used in a food animal. However, a declaration that a horse is ultimately intended for human consumption can be reversed by a subsequent owner, as there are no human health implications.

Q21. Will I need a passport if my horse is never intended for human consumption or will not travel abroad?

A21. Yes, all horses will need a passport irrespective of whether or not the horse is ultimately intended for human consumption or is not expected to leave the UK. However, if the owner declares in the passport that the horse is not intended for human consumption, there will be no requirement to record the date of administration of certain veterinary medicines to the horse.

Q22. Will semi-feral horses require a passport?

A22. Yes. However, the legislation includes a derogation to owners of ponies in the New Forest and on Dartmoor who have been given permission (by the New Forest Verderers or the Dartmoor Commoners Council who have a detailed agreement with Defra) to graze them there. These organisations will be obliged to maintain a list of all such horses and ponies, including individual identification and all other details as required for the issue of a horse passport. A full horse passport will however be required if a horse leaves the above areas. Full details are contained in Schedule 2 of the Regulations.

Q23. Will passports be required for foals?

A23. Yes. A horse must be issued with a passport by the 31 December of the year of birth or by 6 months of age, whichever is the later.

Q24. When does the horse need to be accompanied by its horse passport?

A24. Your horse should be accompanied by its passport in the following circumstances: -

  • When it is moved into or out of Great Britain;
  • When it is used for the purposes of competitions;
  • When it is moved to the premises of a new keeper;
  • When it is presented at a slaughterhouse for slaughter;
  • When it is sold; or
  • When it is used for breeding purposes

Q25. Can a veterinary surgeon treat a horse that is not accompanied by its passport?

A25. Yes. There is no suggestion that a vet should not treat a horse due to the absence of a passport. However, before any medications containing substances which are listed in Annex IV of Council Regulation 2377/90 are administered a vet will need to ensure the horse passport is signed to say it is ?not intended for human consumption.?

Q26. Who will enforce the requirements?

A26. The Food Standards Agency will be responsible for enforcing the checks carried out at slaughterhouses, and the Local Authorities (e.g. Trading Standards Departments) will be responsible for enforcing the law elsewhere. As with all Government legislation, there are penalties that can be applied by the courts for non-compliance. Most offences attract a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum ?5,000 or two months imprisonment.

Q27. What is the Unique Equine Life Number (UELN) that is included on the passports?

A27. This is the number that appears on the passport (or the Section IX pages if these were issued separately) and which identifies the horse within the PIO records. This number will be supplied by the organisation that issues the passport. The first three digits will be a country code (826 for the UK) and the next three digits a code belonging to the organisation issuing the passport. The last nine digits will be issued by the passport issuing organisation to identify each horse or pony registered with it. PIOs have been issued with the details of the system that they can use now.

Q28. What is the National Equine Database?

A28. The Horse Passports legislation has created an opportunity for the Government to develop a National Equine Database (NED) in partnership with the UK equine industry. NED will be a large database, developed to meet the needs of both Government and industry. It will consist of a ?core? horse passport based element and a commercial arm providing breeding and performance information that will be accessible by Internet website for a fee.

Government intends to collect some of the data that is already recorded by Passport Issuing Organisations (PIOs) upon issue of a passport. There will be a statutory requirement placed on PIOs to provide this information, which is likely to be the horse's name, breed, sex, age, UELN and owner details. This basic information is currently not centrally available. If we do not have accurate information on the overall size of the UK horse population and its geographic distribution, we cannot plan effective monitoring of equine diseases, or develop effective control strategies in the event of an outbreak of a notifiable or exotic disease of horses, such as African Horse Sickness or West Nile Fever.

The UK horse industry has proposed that better access to breeding and performance information will lead to an improvement in the efficiency of breeding management of horses in GB. It is envisaged that this will result in an increase in the quality of GB sports horses which, in future years, may raise the overall standard of horses used for competition. PIOs and competition organisations may pass breeding and performance information to NED on a voluntary basis.

The procurement process for the database is proceeding according to plan and the successful tender for operating the database (Momenta) was announced in June 2004. We hope that the NED will be fully operational in early 2005.

Q29. What do I do if I lose my passport?

A29. Ask the passport issuing organisation to issue you with a new one. Any such passport will be stamped ?duplicate? and will state that the horse cannot be slaughtered for human consumption. You will be charged for the duplicate passport.

Q30. Disposal routes for horses

A30. Information on the disposal routes for horses can be obtained by calling your local Defra Animal Health Divisional Office on 08459 33 55 77.

Q31. Import and export of Horses

A31. Information on importing or exporting horses can be obtained on the Defra website at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/int-trde/default.htm

or by calling the relevant number listed below:

Imports Tel: 020 7904 6503
Exports Tel: 020 7904 6392

Q32. I live in Wales/Scotland/Northern Ireland. Does the Horse Passport regulation still apply?

A32. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be introducing their own legislation. For more information please contact:

  • Welsh Assembly (NAWDEPC) on 029 20 823592 or 029 20 801499
  • Scottish Executive (SEERAD) on 0131 244 6405
  • Northern Ireland (DARDNI) on 028 9052 4873

Q33. Are there any restrictions on the use of horses without passports, and if so from when do they apply?

A33. Yes. There are restrictions on the use of horses that should have been issued with a passport. These are:

  • When it is moved into or out of Great Britain;
  • When it is used for the purposes of competitions;
  • When it is moved to the premises of a new keeper;
  • When it is presented at a slaughterhouse for slaughter;
  • When it is sold; or
  • When it is used for breeding purposes

Q34. Who should I contact for further information?

A34. For information on the procedures about applying for a passport, contact the appropriate organisation - a list of these can be found on the Defra website at:

www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tracing/horses/horses_index.htm

Alternatively, call the Defra helpline on 08459 335577.