EQUINE PASSPORTS
As I'm sure you're all aware the Horse Passport Regulations 2004 are now in
force, but understandably there is still a lot of uncertainty as to what
this will mean for the equine population.
As from 28th February 2005 all horses require a passport if over 6 months
old. This records the owner and identifies the horse via diagram and
possibly microchip. It is compulsory for a passport to have sections to
record identity checks and medicinal treatments.
In addition to this horses to be registered for entry into a studbook of an
organization require vaccination records, a section for laboratory health
checks and basic health requirements.
Obviously a vaccination certificate or folder is not a substitute for a
passport.
The area that creates most confusion is section IX of the passports which
requires a declaration to be signed as to whether the individual horse is or
is not intended for human consumption.
If your horse is prescribed, administered or supplied with medicine by your
vet the passport must be shown so that the vet can check if the horse is or
is not intended for human consumption. This declaration determines what
action your vet takes.
If the horse is intended for human consumption your vet will need the
passport to record the medicines prescribed. Also once prescribed a 6 month
withdrawal period before slaughter will apply.
If the horse is NOT intended for human consumption no record of treatment in
the passport will be needed.
For horses without passports the vet will give a written record of the
treatment which if the horse is intended for human consumption is entered
onto the passport as soon as it is available.
The Horse Passport Regulations state that a passport must accompany a horse
when it is sold, used for the purposes of competition or breeding, moved
outside the UK and when presented for slaughter.
It is at these points that checks will be made after 28th February 2005 and
it will be deemed on offence not to produce one if asked. So if your horse
doesn't have a passport apply for one immediately.
Further details including a list of all issuing authorities can be obtained
from the DEFRA website -
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tracing/horses/horses_index.htm
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