EU Confirm UK Studbook Recognition Post-Brexit Transition

The EU has confirmed that it will recognise all UK studbooks once the post-Brexit transition period comes to an end on 31 December. This means that horses with a studbook passport can be considered as registered equines and will not need an additional UK Government-issued ID document in order to travel to the EU.

In addition, these horses will be able to follow the rules for horses registered with national branches of international bodies for sporting and competition purposes, such as the FEI. They will also be able to travel via Border Control Posts that are specifically approved for registered equines.

For registered horses travelling to the EU for fewer than 90 days, the following must be carried out:

• The horse must be a resident in the UK or a country with the same health status for 40 days
• A blood test for equine infectious anaemia must be carried out within 90 days of your departure date. Uncastrated male equines that don’t meet vaccination requirements must also have a blood test for equine viral artertitis within 21 days of departure.
• You will need to obtain an export health certificate, signed by an official vet, and additional supporting documentation.

Unregistered horses without a studbook passport, classed as ungulates, will require a government-issued supplementary travel ID from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Great Britain) or Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland), in addition to their passport. This supplementary ID will be supplied by an official vet, along with an export health certificate, when they check the horse prior to travel. There are also rules regarding residency and disease testing that differ to those for registered horses.

There are additional export and transport documentation that must be completed for both registered and unregistered equines, and for those transporting them. It is advisable to engage an approved shipper to help with the process, at least for the first few journeys, even if you are experienced in travelling horses.

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Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.