It is the law that all horses have passports and are microchipped. The passport is an A5 booklet that identifies your animal by its height and species. It also states whether your animal can be used for food at the end of its life. As from 28th February 2005, the law requires that no persons may sell, move, or compete an equine without a passport issued by an official Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO). Owners and Keepers with primary responsibility must ensure that their horses are correctly identified and be able to produce the passport without delay in the event of an inspection. The passport must accompany the horse at all times unless stabled or at pasture, or moved on foot when the passport can be made available within three hours.
All foals must have a passport before they are 6 months old, or by the 30th November in the year they were born (whichever is later). It is an offence if you do not apply by this deadline. An unweaned foal will require a passport, regardless of its age, if it is being moved without its Dam or foster mother, or sent for slaughter for human consumption. If you own or look after a horse and are unable to produce its passport when requested to do so, you could face a fine of up to £5,000 from DEFRA.
Since the 1st of July 2009, it is also a legal requirement that all horses be microchipped before applying for a passport. Compulsory microchipping provides a permanent link between the horse and its passport. Microchipping will also help recover and identify stolen and abandoned horses, as well assist with welfare cases. An approved Passport Issuing Office (PIO) cannot issue a Horse Passport if the equine has not been microchipped.
Under the current legislation, new owners are required to record their ownership with the relevant Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO) within 30 days of purchase of their new horse. Again, it is an offence if you do not apply by this deadline.
You can find out more about Horse Passport regulations by visiting the DEFRA website.
The BMHS is a DEFRA registered PIO and can issue your horse with a passport.
The BMHS Head Office, Stretcholt Farm, Bridgwater, TA6 4SR| +44 (0)1278 685 943