Information on equine movements to GB, Ireland, EU Member States and Third Countries
Registered and unregistered equines and horses
Registered and Unregistered Equines and Horses
‘Equine’ animal means an animal of the species of solipeds belonging to the genus Equus (including horses, asses and zebras) and the offspring of crossings of those species. ‘Horse’ means an animal of the species Equus caballus
Registered equine animal means an animal defined in Article 2 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692
- A purebred breeding animal of the species Equus caballus and Equus asinus entered or eligible for entry in the main section of a breeding book established by a breed society or breeding body recognised in accordance with Article 4 or 34 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1012
- A kept animal of the species Equus caballus registered with an international association or organisation, either directly or through its national federation or branches, which manages horses for competition or racing
To further clarify, the presence of a passport does not necessarily equal 'registered' status for export and trade purposes and certain passport issuing organisations can issue passports to both registered and unregistered horses. Registered status implies a higher health and welfare status for trade and export purposes because of either studbook entry or the regularity of veterinary checks and compliance with governing bodies’ vaccination policies and veterinary regulations for horses registered to compete internationally.
Movement Between Northern Ireland and Ireland
For the movement of horses (other than animals for slaughter) between Northern Ireland and Ireland free movement is allowed without the need for veterinary export health certification as long as each horse is accompanied by its passport.
Horses exported to Ireland for slaughter must be accompanied by a passport stating eligible to enter the food chain and an export health certificate.
In these cases, the Passport can be issued by any Passport Issuing Organisation.
Movement Between Northern Ireland and Great Britain
For the movement of horses between NI and GB:
- From NI to GB: free movement is allowed without the need for veterinary export health certification as long as each horse is accompanied by its passport. In these cases, the Passport can be issued by any Passport Issuing Organisation
- From NI to GB via Ports in Ireland: an export health certificate is required. You will find this and its supporting documents under “Live Animals to GB and Isle of Man” at Export Health Certificates (EHCs) not available on Form Finder
- Note from GB to NI: veterinary export health certification is required. Information on requirements for GB to NI moves can be found at Moving Equidae
Additional Information for Travel to GB from NI, via a Port in Ireland
If travelling to GB via either Dublin or Rosslare ports you need to tell the authorities in Ireland,
- Which port you are using
- The date and time of departure
- The Ship name and/or company
- Your vehicle registration
- The number of horses travelling and their microchip numbers
- A copy of the completed export health certificate
Please send the above information to the appropriate email address with as much notice as possible:
- Rosslare Port: rosslarebcpvi@agriculture.gov.ie
- Dublin Port: liveanimalsdubport@agriculture.gov.ie
Requirements Prior to Ferry Check-In at Northern Ireland Ports
Before checking in at the port of exit, transporters travelling with equines must report to a DAERA Inspection Facility—either Belfast or Larne—to complete the necessary pre-boarding procedures.
At the inspection facility, the following steps will be carried out:
- Present equine passport/s to DAERA Portal Inspectors.
- A physical inspection, welfare check, and identity verification of the equines will be conducted.
- Transporters must have all relevant travel documentation available, including:
- Authorised Transport Certificate (ATC) [or Journey Log if applicable]
- WIT1/WIT2 (transporter authorisation) documents [if applicable]
- Certificate of competence for the individual transporting the animals [if applicable]
- Applicability depends on whether the journey is for business or pleasure and the length of the journey
- If you are travelling to GB only and intend to return with the animals please inform the Portal Inspectors. This allows them to provide proof of exit, which is required by the GB Official Veterinarian (OV) to complete a re-entry Export Health Certificate (EHC) from GB to NI.
Once all checks are complete and documentation is verified, you will be issued with a ferry boarding pass, which is required for onward travel.
There is no need to pre-book an inspection, but you should give yourself sufficient time for these checks to be completed. Directions to the inspection points are available at SPS Inspection Facilities and New SPS Facilities - Location Leaflets.
Export to EU Member States
If you are travelling to mainland Europe and exiting NI from an NI port please note the information above regarding requirements to report to a DAERA Inspection Facility prior to ferry check-in.
- Export certification for horses (consignments of more than 1 animal) for breeding, production or slaughter to EU Member States (including registered horses)
Horses in this category must be accompanied by a passport and an animal health certificate issued by an approved Private Veterinary Practitioner (aPVP). The certificate is on TRACES NT and is one of a number of INTRA certificates for movements between EU Member States and NI.
In these cases, the passport can be issued by any Passport Issuing Organisation or for registered horses a passport that has been issued by a PIO designated and approved for that purpose. Equidae for slaughter means equidae intended to be transported directly to the slaughterhouse for slaughter.
Details of the INTRA community health certificate and support documents that are required for this export can be found at Export certification for horses (consignments of more than 1 animal) for breeding, production or slaughter to EU Member States (including registered horses). - Export certification of an individual horse (not intended for slaughter) to EU Member States.
Horses in this category must be accompanied by a passport and an animal health certificate issued by an approved Private Veterinary Practitioner (aPVP). The certificate is on TRACES NT and is one of a number of INTRA certificates for movements between NI and EU Member States.
In these cases, the passport can be issued by any Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO) or for registered horses a passport that has been issued by a PIO designated and approved for that purpose. Details of the INTRA community certificate and support documents that are required for this export can be found at Export certification of an individual horse (not intended for slaughter) to EU Member States.
Summary Table of Trade Requirements
The table below outlines the documentation required for the trade in horses to EU Member States.
| Class of export from Northern Ireland | Documentation Required |
|---|---|
| Horses for slaughter to Ireland (IE) | Animal Health certificate EQUI-INTRA-CON and notified to the member state via TRACES NT A passport (issued by any Passport Issuing Organisation – PIO) stating eligible to enter the food chain |
| Horses (other than those for slaughter) to Ireland | A passport (issued by any Passport Issuing Organisation – PIO) |
| Horses (consignments of more than 1 animal) for breeding, production or slaughter to EU Member States (including registered horses) | Animal Health Certificate EQUI –INTRA-CON and notified to the member state via TRACES NT A passport (issued by any Passport Issuing Organisation – PIO) or for registered horses a passport that has been issued by a PIO designated and approved for that purpose |
| Movement of an individual horse not intended for slaughter to EU Member States including registered horses | Animal Health Certificate EQUI-INTRA-IND and notified to the member state via TRACES NT A passport (issued by any Passport Issuing Organisation – PIO) or for registered horses a passport that has been issued by a PIO designated and approved for that purpose |
Exports to Third Countries
You will need to check if the Third Country has agreed to accept equines from the UK. If so, an Export Health Certificate will be available. Please check the conditions for import to the Third Country in Guidance for the EHC along with the EHC itself, available at the DEFRA Form Finder.
How do I obtain the required veterinary export health certification?
Please visit Live Animal Exports for advice on applying for export health certificates on TRACES NT and DECS.