New ID rules welcomed
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ new legislation has been well received by the British Horse Council as well as the wider equine community. The regulations, which became law on 1 October, make it a requirement for every horse, pony and donkey in England to be microchipped and possess a valid UK passport, with all details stored on a central equine database. Owners of horses born before 30 June 2009 have two years to get their horses chipped; any born after this should already be chipped. It’s hoped, as a result, owners and horses will have greater protection against theft, the spread of disease and neglect. Chair of The British Horse Council, Jeanette Allen, says: “The new regulations are a significant boost for equine health and welfare.”