Regulations for horse passports Important new regulations for horse passports came into effect in 2009. They are to prevent unsuitable horses from entering the food chain and to improve the identification of horses. It is an offense not to follow these regulations. A summary of the regulations is given below, but for more complete information visit the BEVA or the DEFRA websites (see links).   Mandatory microchipping When applying for a new equine passport, microchipping is now mandatory.  Passport application forms can be obtained from Paton and Lee at the same time as the microchip is inserted, or you can get them from another Passport Issuing Organisation before you book your appointment for a microchip. The microchip must only be implanted by a qualified, registered veterinary surgeon.  Foals must now have a microchip implanted when first identified, within six months of birth, or by 31st December in the year of their birth, whichever is later.  If passports are not applied for within these parameters, and for all other older horses, the PIO must sign Part II of Section IX to indicate that these animals are not eligible for human consumption, since their medication history is unknown. Together at all times Your horse must now be accompanied by its passport at all times.  It is an offence to move a horse without it.  There are exceptions to this rule, for example, when the horse is at pasture, is stabled, in emergency situations, leaving a competition or event area for training or test purposes, or being moved on foot only if the passport can be made available within three hours.  Your passport must be available at the time of treatment if the horse is being given a veterinary medication. Paton and Lee will be unable to treat your horse if the passport is not available, except in an emergency situation.  Even in an emergency, if your passport is not available, we will be unable to use certain medicines. If you keep horses for other people (e.g. on a livery yards, horses on loan, etc.) you must make arrangements with every owner to ensure that each passport is available immediately, whenever necessary, as it is an offence for a keeper of a horse to have responsibility for an animal which does not have a passport. Passports must be returned to the original PIO for amendment if the owner’s circumstances change, and temporary documents may be issued if the PIO cannot return it within five days.  If the horse receives veterinary attention whilst the passport is being updated, the vet will write details of the medications administered or prescribed, and the period of treatment. You must then ensure that the passport is updated. When a horse dies, the passport must be returned to the PIO within 30 days.   See the passport first The new regulations require that each vet checks the passport before administration, supply or prescription of veterinary medicines.  You must sign the declaration at Part II of Section IX if substances not permitted for entry into the food chain have been administered, supplied or prescribed.  If you refuse to sign, the treating vet will do so. This signature and declaration can not be reversed. At Paton and Lee we are keeping records of all animals that have had Section IX in their passports checked and signed, making treatment of these patients easier at subsequent visits. In an emergency situation in which the vet does not have access to the passport, he/she will only administer substances suitable for food producing animals.  It is an offence to treat a horse with a substance unsuitable for use in a food producing animal if the Section IX status is unknown. Record all vaccines in the passport The new regulations now require us to record all vaccines given in the passport.  Regardless of whether the horse is for human consumption or not, the vet will commit an offence if he/she does not record all vaccines administered, supplied or prescribed in Section V and VI of the passport.