Introduction
Legislation is in place to ensure that all horses have passports, and that any horses or ponies being exported are done so with their welfare being aof prime interest. Details of these below.
Horse Passports
The Horse Passports (Scotland) Regulations 2005 which came in to force on May 16, 2005 revokes and replaces the existing Horse Passports Order 1997 (as amended). This legislative change is necessary in order to implement Commission Decision 2000/68/EC, the objective being to prevent horses which have been administered with medicines not authorised for use in food-producing animals being slaughtered for human consumption. The new Regulations will be more extensive in their scope than the 1997 Order in that they require all equines to be accompanied by a passport.
All horses in Scotland which were born before May 16, 2005 should have passports in place before August 16, 2005. Any that do not will be subject to movement restrictions. Full details of these restrictions and timetables for obtaining horse passports are contained in the Horse Passports: Guidance for all horse owners. The Guidance also explains how to obtain a horse passport.
Horse and Pony Exportation
The main effect of the above legislation is to require the veterinary inspection or examination and resting of certain horses and ponies prior to export unless an exemption has been granted by the Scottish Ministers. It is unlawful for the master of any vessel or the pilot of any aircraft to allow the shipment of any horse or pony unless the appropriate documents are delivered to him or his representative at the time of shipment. These documents must be produced on demand to any police officer, officer of the Scottish Ministers, local authority or HM Customs and Excise.
Follow this link for more guidance on the welfare of horse/ponies in transport.