Government launches new leaflet to raise awareness of the need for horse passports

Defra has reminded over 1,700 horse enterprises that there are only 14 weeks left to apply for horse passports, with a new leaflet being sent out across the country.

The horse passport leaflet 'What does this mean for you' is part of a major push by the Government to raise awareness by horse owners of the need to apply for a passport by 31 December 2003. The leaflet answers the key questions; what, when, how and why horse owners need a passport and has details of the Defra helpline and website address to help answer further questions.

The leaflet is being sent direct to over 1,700 riding schools, equestrian centres, liveries, farriers, studs, riding supply shops and private vets, so that information is available to them and their customers. It will also be available from the Defra stand at forthcoming equine shows and events, and can be obtained direct from Defra.

Forthcoming legislation means that by 31 December 2003 all horse owners need to have applied for a passport for their horse, which will make clear whether or not it is intended for human consumption.

>From 1 January 2004 it will also be against the law to sell a horse

without a passport.

When horses come to the end of their working lives and are slaughtered, some are incinerated or go for animal feed. In 2002 about 8,000 horse carcasses were exported for human consumption.

The passport system is intended to ensure that horses treated with certain veterinary medicines do not enter the human food chain. Around three out of four veterinary medicines used for horses are not approved for use on animals destined for the food chain and the horse industry regards the continued use of these medicines in the United Kingdom as very important.