Changes due to the entry into force of the EU Animal Health Act
On April 21, 2021, a new law came into force that will have a major impact on equestrian sports. It is the animal health law of the European Union (AHL).
The FEI reported that there had been extensive lobbying, with a specially created task force from the International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC) instrumental in the work and implementation of the law.
A press release from the FEI said two key changes in the legislation are an extension for the use of current export health certificates (EHCs) for horse shipments until August 2021 and the removal of the proposed 30-day isolation period before transporting horses from the United Kingdom (UK) to EU member states (MS) and Northern Ireland. In addition, horses from the United Kingdom (UK) will no longer be required to have a 30-day isolation period prior to transport to an EU MS or Northern Ireland.
Current EHCs will remain valid until August 20, 2021, meaning existing certificates can continue to be used until that date. The new EHCs must be used for all horses starting Aug. 21, 2021, but the provision requiring registration of a horse's exact location while in the EU will be delayed until January 2022.
Horses originating in the UK and registered with the FEI, a recognized UK organization or studbook will no longer be required to undergo a 30-day pre-export isolation period, but will instead be required to be under veterinary supervision for 30 days.
Work on draft legislation for digital passports, another key proposal from the IHSC's Brexit and EU Animal Health Law Task Force, is underway at the European Commission.
"We very much welcome this news from the European Commission and DEFRA, as these items were high on the Task Force's list of priorities and we have been working very hard to achieve this on behalf of the entire European equine industry," said IHSC Task Force Chair Dr. Göran Akerström. "We appreciate very much that our demands have not only been listened to, but also implemented, and this will make a big difference for the entire industry.
"Delaying the implementation of the new export health certificates until August will give everyone time to get everything in place and help minimize delays for horses traveling between EU member states and the UK. There was already an exemption from the 30-day isolation period for show horses, but this has now been extended to all registered horses and is particularly welcomed by the Thoroughbred breeding industry.
The IHSC Task Force continues to work closely with ministries in the UK and EU member states to agree similar conditions for the transport of high health horses as existed under the previous tripartite agreement between France, the UK and Ireland. (see FEI- Media Updates)
