Horse owners who have imported horses from Ireland could be unaware that their animals are missing from Britain’s Central Equine Database, even after completing a change of ownership with the original passport issuer.
Concerns have been raised by the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association (TGCA) after checks carried out for a Search for a Star qualifying show found that a significant number of imported horses were not recorded on the national database.
In many cases, the owners appeared to have followed the process they believed was required. Their details and new British address had been added to the horse’s passport by its Irish Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO), but the horse had not subsequently been registered with a UK PIO or added to the Central Equine Database.
Andrea Betteridge, Director of the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association, explained: “A large percentage of horses that I recently added to the entry system for a show, with a UELN not starting with 8260, were not entered onto the CED. The Irish PIO’s do process the change of ownership with the new English address on the label within the passport. but that is the end of their responsibility it seems as these details are not then added to the CED.”
The findings suggest some owners may reasonably believe their responsibilities have ended once the foreign passport has been updated. However, changing the ownership details with an overseas PIO and registering an imported horse in Britain are separate processes.
Under current government guidance, a horse entering Great Britain with a foreign passport and remaining for more than 90 days must normally have that passport registered with a UK PIO. Owners are required to apply within 30 days of the horse’s arrival, although limited exemptions may apply.
The Central Equine Database brings together identification information supplied by UK PIOs, including passport, microchip and ownership records. Its purpose is to support the identification and traceability of horses living in Britain, making gaps in the system particularly concerning when horses travel between premises or attend shows.
The issue emerged while entries were being processed for a Search for a Star qualifying show, which included qualifiers for the Horse of the Year Show. With equine influenza also placing renewed attention on biosecurity, organisers believe the findings demonstrate why accurate records and clearer information for owners matter.
Search for a Star organiser Nicolina MacKenzie, of the Absolutely Genuine company, said: “Search for a Star and the TGCA are working together for a safer world for our horses and ponies by highlighting this loophole and taking steps to address it.”
A horse may therefore meet the registration requirements of a breed society or competition organiser while remaining absent from the national database. Unless a UK PIO checks the record, perhaps when an owner applies to have the passport overstamped, the omission may go unnoticed.
Andrea Betteridge added: “We need to ensure we are educating owners and making sure they are aware of this issue. Adding a horse to the CED is easily done but in this situation it will only happen at present if the owner knows to ask the question. We have been in contact with DEFRA and are awaiting an updated statement on the advised processes when a horse is imported to the UK.”
Owners of imported horses can check whether an animal appears on the Central Equine Database by searching its microchip number or Unique Equine Life Number through the Equine Register National ChipChecker. If no record is found, they should contact an appropriate UK PIO for advice.
The official rules for registering a foreign passport are available through the government’s horse passport guidance.
