H&H: Green light for horse transport after Brexit

Brexit is keeping tempers high. Horse & Hound (H&H) published the article this week Horse movement receives green light post-Brexit. Below is the translation of the article.

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Horses from Britain can be moved to and from the EU in the event of a no-deal Brexit on Oct. 31. This is thanks to GB securing status on the list for the second time.

EU member states granted British status, which recognizes high biosecurity and animal health standards, in April, but this did not apply to the delayed Brexit date of Oct. 31. In April, a spokesman for the British Equestrian Federation BEF responded to H&H that this would not be unreasonable if, for example, there was an outbreak of a contagious equine disease before October. This would affect the health status of our horses and therefore have been an important consideration for EU states.

Acceptance

The EU standing body on plants, animals, food and feed confirmed acceptance of the UK status on Friday (Oct. 11) after it achieved the health and biosecurity assurances required for a ‘third country.

A spokesman for Defra (Britain's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) said the move will provide ‘desirable clarity’ to world-leading farmers and food producers.

If status on the list is confirmed and GB leaves the EU without a deal, any horse going from Britain to the EU, including those going to competitions there, must have a health certificate and enter the EU through a border inspection post. Horses not registered with an EU-recognized studbook or national equestrian federation also need a government-issued travel ID and passport.

Guidelines

Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers added: “This is good news for British businesses. It shows our very high standards of biosecurity and animal health, which we will continue to maintain and improve after we leave the EU. If you or your business imports or exports animal and livestock products, we want to make sure you are ready for Brexit. At our guidelines states what you need to do to continue trading after we leave the EU.”

The guidelines apply in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Priority

“Our top priority remains the Brexit at the end of October, and our preference is for a negotiated deal. However, it is the job of a responsible government to ensure we are ready to leave without a deal and without further pointless delays,” Villiers said.

The Defra spokesman adds that if GB leaves with a deal, they will not go into effect during the implementation period of the deal. “To provide certainty for businesses and citizens, common rules will remain in force until the end of the implementation period, meaning that businesses can trade under the same conditions as they do now until the end of 2020,” he concludes.

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Source: Horse & Hound

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