last updated on January 16, 2009 17:19

Horse Passports were made compulsory in the UK in February 2005 to ensure that horses treated with certain veterinary medicines are not slaughtered for human consumption. To improve the link between the horse and this information DEFRA now have plans in the pipeline to introduce microchipping as mandatory for foals born after 1 July 2009. This will ensure that the passport documentation refers to the correct horse and leave no room for error in identifying the animal.

To achieve this a microchip containing a unique identification number will be implanted in the middle of the neck between the poll and withers in the area of the nuchal ligament. Passports issued before 1 July 2009 under the existing rules will remain valid so a new passport and microchipping will be not be required when the new rules are introduced.

British Dressage have been invited to respond to these proposals and would welcome your input to enable us to best represent our members' views.

This consultation covers England only – the Welsh Assembly Government will be responsible for implementing the Regulation in Wales, the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department in Scotland and the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland.

>> complete our survey now