Ireland announces new equine import rules

Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development has reviewed its arrangements for the importation of horses from the UK after a week of operating the existing measures.

The procedure has now been simplified by the dropping of the requirement for an import licence.

However, horses imported from the UK must still adhere to the strict protocols agreed with the Irish Horseracing Authority and with the Irish Turf Club.

Imported horses must also be accompanied by the following:

• An intra Community Health Certificate signed by a veterinary official from the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF), in the case of horses imported from Great Britain, and from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in the case of horses imported from Northern Ireland.
• Additional certification from private veterinary practitioner and shipping agency certification provided for in the protocol.Imports will only be allowed through Cork, Dublin or Shannon Airports and through specified border crossings.
• In addition, importers must apply to the District Veterinary Offices closest to the point of destination for an internal movement permit (FMD 4), to allow movement from the point of entry to the state to the point of destination.Imports will only be allowed through Cork, Dublin or Shannon Airports and through specified border crossings.These revised arrangements will operate for horses being imported from Tuesday, 15 May, 2001.For more information visit www.horsesport.ie

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