Catherine Lawler, superintending veterinary officer at the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine (DAFM) spoke at last week’s Teagasc Let’s Talk Equine webinar which focused on the movement of equines between Ireland and the UK since Brexit came into effect.

Lawler outlined that those planning on moving horses to and from Great Britain will need to register with DAFM and with the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES). If you are importing horses into Ireland, you must also register with TRACES NT (New Technology).

A bipartite agreement between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has been secured and signed which means no certification or pre-notification is needed if you are moving horses between the north and the south. However, animals intended for equine slaughter will need a health certificate if moving across the border.

At present, equines can enter the UK from any point of entry. However, this will end on 1 July 2021 and horses will only be permitted to enter the UK through designated equine posts. This is yet to be confirmed by the British side.

As for horses travelling via the UK landbridge to mainland Europe, Lawler said: “We secured agreement with the UK authorities that horses can transit across the landbridge using a DOCOM [commercial document] as used in previous years. There is no requirement to notify the UK import system but you need to indicate on your TRACES certificate and must pre-notify BCP [border control post] of your arrival.”

There are plans for a border control post to open for horses at Rotterdam very soon. “It will be another access route to mainland Europe for horses so that is very good news.

“We have been in active communication with equine stakeholders to ascertain the issues that are arising and to try and work with and support you through this,” Lawler said.