Rugby Riding Club Passport Information

When and why do I need to get an equine passport?

By the end of December 2003, every horse, pony, donkey or mule will be required to hold an equine passport, as announced by the Government in February 2002 to bring the UK inline with EU legislation.

What would happen if I don't get a passport for my equine?

From 1st January 2004, if your equine does not have a passport, you will not be able to sell it. The Food Standards Agency will also check slaughterhouses and if an equine is found not to hold a passport, fines of up to £5,000 or a period of imprisonment will be enforced.

Where can I get a passport from?

If your equine is registered in a studbook or with a society (including part-breds), you should contact them to get a passport. The British Horse Society has a comprehensive list of contact phone numbers for each society that issues passports. Click here to view this list.

What if my equine has already got a passport?

If the passport was issued in the last couple of years, you may not need to do anything. If the passport is older, you may need to send it to the appropriate studbook/society to have additional records added to it. In both instances, please contact the relevant studbook/society for advice.

What if my equine isn’t registered with a studbook/society and I’m not sure of it’s breeding?

If your equine is a particular colour, you may be able to register it with that particular society i.e. the British Palomino Society or one of the Coloured Horse Societies. If your equine cannot be registered with one of these societies, you can register with other societies such as BEF, SHB (GB), NPS or BHS.

What about the agencies that have been set up to handle passport requests?

Using an agency can be more expensive than acquiring a passport through a society. You also can not be assured that they are legal and that the passport they issue is genuine.

It is always best to contact a society that is registered as a Passport Issuing Organisation. A list of these can be obtained from the following link to the BHS web site: http://www.bhs.org.uk/Welfare/Passports/Organisations.htm

How much will a passport cost?

Costs vary dependent on the Passport Issuing Organisation. As a guide, passports are usually between £20 and £30 per equine. There may also be a fee payable to have additional medicinal records added to existing passports. Again, it is best to contact the societies to find out the exact costs.