Equine passports to become law
15 February 2002
All horses, ponies and donkeys must have a unique registration number and passport by 2004
All horses, ponies and donkeys in England and Wales must hold a passport, which willinclude a unique registration number and a record of veterinary treatment, by 31 December 2003, the government announced yesterday (14 February, 2001).
Compulsory registration of all equines has been introduced to bring the country in line with European legislation, which is designed to prevent horses treated with certain veterinary medicines from entering the human food chain.
“Registered horses and ponies without passports and unregistered animals alike will have to obtain passports from approved organisations,” explains rural affairs minister, Alun Michael.
“Owners of horses and ponies which currently have passports will be issued with the new extended passport containing details of administered veterinary medicines.”
DEFRA is unable to confirm which organisations have been approved to issue passports or how much the passports will cost at this time.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“The BHS welcomes the introduction of passports for every equine,” says BHS chairman Pat Campbell. “From a welfare point of view it will make identification much easier. When buying and selling horses it will be possible to get a full history, as well as a medical record of vaccinations.
“Many horse owners may resent yet further regulation and expense, but we must look at this from a wider perspective,” she explaine. “For the first time we shall know exactly how many horses and ponies there are in this country. This will give the BHS greater leverage with local and central government when putting the case for horse owners.”
The BHS will be issuing passports and expects them to cost around £20 to £25 each. Owners of horses that are not eligible to be registered with a breed society, a competitive discipline or other organisation can apply to the BHS for a passport.
The International League for the Protection of Horses agrees that the passport scheme will help improve equine welfare.
“In terms of welfare, we hope that every equine needing to have a passport will have a significant impact on indiscriminate breeding and over production,” says David Mountford, ILPH director of operations.
The government also intends to introduce a central database for all equines, to aid disease control and centralise breeding data.
DEFRA has set up a special hotline to answer horse owners queries, (tel: 08459 335577).
Don’t miss next week’s special first show number of Horse & Hound (21 February 2002) which includes all you need to know about how the new regulations will affect you and your horseor click here to subscribe.
- Do you think compulsory passports are a good idea? Register your opinion in our online survey or by calling Horse & Hound’s special hotline. If you agree with the new passports call (tel: 0906 616 5349). If you disagree with the new passportscall (tel: 0906 616 5350). Lines open on Thursday 21 February and calls cost approximately 10p.
- Click here to read about the closure of the British Horse Database.
- Click here to read about the EU vote, which paved the way for horse passports.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.