Horse Passports
(updated September 2009)
It is a legal requirement to have a passport for horses and ponies (and other forms of equidae) so that they can be identified. New regulations brought in in July 2009 state that any new applications for a passport mean the horse must be microchipped and owners of foals need to obtain a passport for it on or before 31st December of the year of its birth, or by six months after its birth, whichever is later. It is the responsibility of the owner or keeper with primary responsibility for care of the horse must ensure any horse they look after is correctly identified and ensure the horse is accompanied by its passport at all times
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has more information on this:
Defra Helpline on 08459 335577
Email: horse.passports@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/movements/horses/index.htm
To find out where you can get a passport for your horse: http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/movements/horses/horsepassport.htm
Other links:
The Horse Passports Regulations 2009 No.1611 (PDF 67 KB) comes into force on 1st August 2009.
Impact Assessment to accompany the Horse Passports Regulations 2009 (PDF 340KB)
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 504/2008 (PDF)
The Horses (Zootechnical Standards) (England) Regulations 2006
Regulatory Impact Assessment to accompany The Horses (Zootechnical Standards) (England) Regulations 2006 (PDF 52 KB)
Guide to the Horse Passports Regulations 2009
