International trade: Customer Information Notes - AE/08/164
Simplified certification of registered horses for movement within the European Union
Purpose
1. The purpose of this Customer Information Note (CIN/AE/08/164) is to advise you that we have reviewed the certification requirement for the return of ‘registered horses’ visiting Great Britain (GB) to either their EU Member State of origin or to another Member State. The simplified procedure takes effect from the date of this CIN.
2. Registered horses travel regularly within the EU to international events such as races or shows. To return to their Member State of origin or to move to another Member State from GB, such horses will in addition to their passports now only need an unexpired Intra Trade Animal Health Certificate (ITAHC (PDF 205 KB)) in accordance with the model at Annex B of Council Directive 90/426/EEC or a health attestation in accordance with Annex B, which is valid for any movement within 10 days of signature by an Official Veterinarian. However if that ITAHC(B) or health attestation document expires whilst the registered horse is in Great Britain, a new ITAHC(B) must be issued prior to any movement.
Background
3. Council Directive 90/426/EEC sets out the rules for intra Community trade in registered horses. This Directive requires registered horses leaving their holdings to be accompanied by a valid identification document (as laid down by Commission Decision 93/623/EC as amended by Council Directive 2000/68/EC) and an Intra Trade Animal Health Certificate (ITAHC) in accordance with the model at Annex B of the above mentioned Directive, or health attestation in accordance with the model at Annex B, when moved to other Member States.
4. Registered horses re-entering GB after visiting other Member States (except France and Ireland as signatories of the Tripartite Agreement - see below) are already allowed re-entry into GB if accompanied by a valid passport and the ITAHC(B) issued in GB, as long as it is still within the 10 day validity period of that certificate. The simplification of GB’s certification requirement will afford the same facility to registered horses visiting GB from other Member States.
Tripartite Agreement
5. This change will not impact on the long standing Tripartite Agreement (TA) between the UK, France and Ireland, which allows registered horses and horses for breeding and production to move between the signatory countries only accompanied by a valid passport without the need for an ITAHC (B) or health attestation.
Tracing registered horses in the event of a Disease outbreak
6. We have considered this aspect carefully and concluded that by working in partnership with the horse industry we believe that registered horses could be traced through their passports and the records kept by event organisers. Therefore, we consider it is unlikely this change in policy will lead to an increase in disease risk.
Further enquiries
7. Please email EU Policy Team via: iah-eulp@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Issued by: International Animal Health
Page published: 17 November, 2008