3 minute read

Apart from all the chaos caused by Covid lockdowns, there's Brexit!

The Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group has advised those concerned not to try and move horses between England, Ireland and France in the first two weeks of 2021.

Until 1 January 2021 the Tripartite Agreement between those three countries has allowed for the seamless movement of horses between them and it is estimated that 25,000 horses move between these countries every year.

The "first two weeks" looks to us as being a very optimistic time frame.  There are some major hurdles to be taken before this can happen, such as the EU proclaiming the UK's status as a "Third Country" for animal health purposes.

They also have to agree to allow UK transporters into the EU and vice-versa. 
Then they have to recognise the General Stud Book.

Specific arrangements will be needed and this looks like it will require longer than the first two weeks of 2021 to accomplish.

There are some important future dates to consider such as 21 April when the new EU Animal Health Law comes into force.  EU Citizens have to declare that they wish to remain in the UK before 30 June.

And from 1 July 2021 horses entering the UK will have to go through a border control post and there are so far only three of these – Heathrow, Stansted and Prestwick.

And this is just for Europe – there will be other negotiations needed for horses to travel between the US and the UK and the Middle East and the UK etc.

We live in interesting times!