SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS – HORSES AND OTHER EQUINES
Premises Registration

As from 1 May 2012, any premises (which includes shows, fairs and markets) where horses or other equines are gathered must be registered with the Department.  Owners/persons in charge of such gatherings are required to submit a completed application form for registration and to keep records of movements on/off their premises.

Records must be retained for at least 3 years as they may be required by the Department for the purposes of tracing disease. Records required are

• The name and address of the owner/person in charge of the premises from which the equine came
• The premises registration number from which the equine came and
• Passport number/UELN number of the animal

It is important therefore that Show organisers should contact their local Regional Veterinary Office in advance so that consideration can be given to compliance with the requirements outlined above.

Equine Identification

All Equines (which include horses, ponies and donkeys) must be identified in accordance with EU and national legislation.

• It is an offence to be in possession of an equine that is not properly identified. 
• Equine passports must be issued by approved Passport Issuing Organisations [PIOs] not later than 12 months from the date of birth of the animal and, in any event before the equine leaves the establishment of birth for a period exceeding 30 days, except in limited circumstances.  The passport is valid for the lifetime of the animal.  A list of the PIOs approved by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is set out in Appendix 5.
• Microchip - all equines issued with a passport after 1st July 2009 must have a corresponding microchip implanted by a veterinarian, the details of which are recorded in the passport and in the central equine database, thereby creating a link between the passport and the animal.

In respect of each equine in their care, a keeper must ensure that

• the equine is registered with an approved PIO;
• the animal’s passport is issued in accordance with EU and national legislation;
• they are in compliance with the provisions of the legislation whereby the passport issued in respect of the equine must accompany the animal whenever it is moved to events such as shows, sales and to slaughter plants, etc.