Dear Members,

Since there is still a great deal of uncertainty and rumors have circulated that the information we provided was incorrect, we wanted to share with you the attached letter from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)) I won't forget. RFO has now sent this letter to all studbooks in the Netherlands.

Breeding Organization in Third Countries

The WPCS may, through a procedure with the competent authority in the United Kingdom (UK)) on the list breeding facilities in third countries may be added. This is a separate procedure, but we do not know how it will proceed or how long it will take. It is possible that the WPCS will not yet be on this list as of January 1, 2021.

Registration in the stud book

Only once they are included on this list can they issue zootechnical certificates, which in turn allow animals with a British passport to be re-registered in one of the main sections of a stud book (i.e., sections A, B, C, D, WPBR) within the European Union, including the NWPCS. This is where the RFO as she also warns in her letter.

Means of identification

However, it is a UK passport if the WPCS was not yet on the list as of January 21, 2021 breeding facilities in third countries is still valid as a form of identification. This means you can travel with it as usual, and it is recognized as a valid identification document.

Foals

Similarly, foals born in 2021 to animals with only a VK passport (i.e., only WPCS registration) cannot be registered in one of the main sections as long as the WPCS is not included on the list of breeding organizations in a third country! However, breeding certificates for stallions with a UK registration and license that have sired a mare who is registered in one of the main sections of the studbook may be registered and included in the studbook.

Book of Origin

Then there is the fact that the original studbook (i.e., the parent studbook) retains this status at all times. This means that the WPCS is the studbook that registered the Welsh Pony & Cob and also established it. This does not mean that they thereby have additional rights and obligations after the UK has left the EU. We have also seen a great deal of uncertainty surrounding this issue, which is why we specifically asked for clarification.

We hope this has cleared up some of the confusion, but If you have any questions, please send them to bestuur@NWPCS.nl.

The Board

LETTER FROM RVO

Dear Sir or Madam,
 
You have been RFO recognized as a stud book association or breeding group. I would like to inform you about the implications of Brexit.

As of January 1, 2021, the laws and regulations of the European Union (EU) will no longer apply to the United Kingdom (UK)). That's because the UK left the EU last February: Brexit. There is currently a transition period in place, but it ends on December 31, 2020. In 2021, the UK will officially no longer be a member of the EU. As a result, different trade rules will apply: the rules for trade with third countries.

These rules may affect you. That is why the European Commission (EC)) issued an advisory. I am bringing this to your attention in this message. I am also informing you of the most important changes.

Advice for Breeders

Are your breeding animals registered in a stud book in the UK? Register these animals in a Dutch studbook as well. Or in a studbook of another European Union member state for that breed. Do this before the end of the transition period. This will prevent your animals from being classified as purebred for trade purposes. That is not possible if the UK stud book is not on the list Breeding facilities in third countries is.

Please share this advice with your breeders. That way, they won't run into any unpleasant surprises.

Key Changes

Brexit has a number of consequences for breeders, breeding groups, and studbook associations.

Recognition of studbooks in the UK Expires

Accreditation expires for studbook associations and breeding groups in the UK. This recognition applies only to European member states. This means that studbook associations and breeding groups in the UK as of January 1, 2021, will no longer be permitted to issue official zootechnical certificates.

Nothing will change regarding the ‘stud book of origin’ status for horse stud books. To hold this status, the stud book does not need to be on the list Breeding facilities in third countries be located. A studbook may also be based in a third country.

Trade between the UK and the Netherlands

The UK has been a third country since 2021. For trade in purebred breeding animals between European member states and third countries, the EC compiled a list: Breeding facilities in third countries. This list includes breeding organizations (stud books) in third countries that, in principle, follow the same rules as those set forth in the Breeding Regulation. Breeding organizations on this list may issue documents that have the same validity as an official zootechnical certificate. You may register animals transferred to your herd book in the main section only if they originate from a herd book listed on this list.

The organizations currently recognized in the UK are not automatically added to the list Breeding facilities in third countries. To do so, they must follow a procedure with the competent authority in the UK. It is therefore quite possible that these organizations will not be on the list as of January 1, 2021. For this reason, the EC The recommendation to breeders located in the EU who have registered their animals in a UK stud book is to also register their animals in a European stud book.

Consequences of the Changes

Unfortunately, not all of the consequences of the changes are clear yet. The Netherlands has asked the EC. Any potential consequences also depend on the outcome of the negotiations between the EU and the UK about their new relationship. We won't have a clearer picture of the new relationship until the negotiations are over.

Once we have a clearer picture of the consequences, I’ll be happy to update you.

Learn more

Do you have any questions? If so, please visit www.rvo.nl or on the websites of the UK and the EC.

Sincerely,

Eline Beemsterboer

Team Manager, Market Regulation and Breeding Regulations
Netherlands Enterprise Agency