The new horse passport regulations will help protect the human food chain by ensuring that all horses, ponies and donkeys are issued with identification documents which must contain details of certain veterinary drugs if the animal could end up being for human consumption. It will enable the British horse industry to continue using treatments that are important for horses not intended for the food chain.

Horse passports (England) Regulations 2004 require all owners to obtain a passport for each horse they own. This includes ponies, donkeys, and other equidae but excludes zebras. After 28 February 2005, owners will not be able to sell, buy, export, slaughter for human consumption, use for the purposes of competition or breeding a horse which does not have a passport. If they have not already done so, owners of animals born before 30 November 2003 should take action now to apply for a passport so that they will not be restricted in using their horse as they wish after 28 February 2005. Horses born after 30 November 2003 will require a passport by 31st December in the year of birth or by 6 months of age, whichever is later. Owners already holding a passport should check to make sure it is fully compliant with the new legislation.

From January 2004:

The legislation has been passed. All horses require passports by 28th February 2005 - contact DEFRA helpline 08459 335577 or www.defra.gov.ukif you have any queries regarding the legislation.

DEFRA announced that from 31^st January 2004 owners are not able to "self-certify" the silhouette and must use a Vet or Horse Passport Agency Ltd Identifier. You may however, draw the silhouette yourself if the animal is microchipped.

If your horse has a passport or breeding papers- contact the organisation that issued those documents to get it upgraded to a DEFRA approved passport.

It will be an offence to have two DEFRA recognised passports for the same horse.

Pedigree/ Breeding:The horse Passport Agency is one of over 70 DEFRA approved organisations that issue passports. The identity passport is intended for horses with no known, or provable breeding and therefore this information, along with the breed is recorded as unknown on the passport. If you know the breeding of your animal it is advised you register for a passport through a breed society.

Vaccination cards are not a substitute for a passport. If you have one of these you may transfer the markings (having been drawn by a vet previously) onto our application form and send a photocopy of the vaccination card with the application.

Grey horses: Do not try colouring the whole of the silhouette in red! Only mark in red permanent white markings (star, or leg markings etc) which can be distinguished by it's having a different skin colour.

The Price of Passports: These vary between issuing authorities. Passports from the Horse Passport Agency cost  £14 - a one off fee. There are no annual charges and the passport is valid for the life of the horse. You would only have to pay an administration charge if you wished to amend the details included within the passport in the future.

Visit www.horsepassportagency.org or pick up an application form from Highcliff reception.