IMPORTATION OF HORSES FROM THE UK - LATEST FROM DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT - June 2001 - Equiworld

IMPORTATION OF HORSES FROM THE UK - LATEST FROM DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

The following statement has been received today (June 21) from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development regarding a review of laws concerning the importation of horses from the UK.

MOVEMENT OF HORSES FROM THE UK TO IRELAND -

JUNE 21ST 2001

Bearing in mind that the Foot-and-Mouth Disease situation is improving in the UK and that most previously infected areas in the UK are now longer than 3 weeks since their last outbreak it is time to review the manner of movement of horses into Ireland from the UK.

It is now possible to envisage many routes on roadways through the UK to the ports on the west coast servicing Ireland that will not traverse areas that have had outbreaks of FMD within the last 3 weeks.

FOR HORSES TRAVELLING FROM THE UK (INCLUDING NORTHERN IRELAND), EITHER THOSE RESIDENT IN THE UK OR IN TRANSIT THROUGH THE UK, AND HORSES RETURNING TO IRELAND FROM THE UK, THE FOLLOWING WILL APPLY.

The owner or agent of the horse(s) must have two documents completed.

(1) An animal Health certificate in accordance with 2001/415/EC. This must be supplied by MAFF or DANI and will encompass the vehicle disinfection > referred to in Article 10 of 2001/356/EC and the conditions applying to the horse(s) as per Article 10 of 2001/356/EC. (See information below retheses regulations)
and

(2) the new (June 21st) version of the FMD4 form for DAFRD requirements.

Relevant sections of EU Decisions

TRANSPORT VEHICLES
Article 10 of 2001/356/EC.
> - The United Kingdom shall ensure that vehicles which have been used for transport of live animals are cleaned and disinfected after each operation, and shall furnish proof of such disinfection. - The United Kingdom shall ensure that operators of ports of exit from the United Kingdom ensure that tyres of road vehicles departing from the United Kingdom are exposed to disinfectant.

HORSES
Article 1 of 2001/415/EC (modifies 12(4) of 2001/356/EC). 4. The United Kingdom shall ensure that equidae dispatched from its territory to another Member State are accompanied by a health certificatein accordance with the Model in Annex C of Council Directive 90/426/EEC. This certificate shall only be issued for equidae coming from a holding that is > not subject to official prohibition in accordance with Article 4 or Article 5 of Directive 85/511/EEC.

In addition, the certifying Official Veterinarian must: - inspect and certify the equine animal only if it is groomed to remove as far as practical visible faeces, dirt and debris and itshooves are cleaned and disinfected to the satisfaction of the official veterinarian, and - ensure that a written declaration is received from the owner of the owner's representative stating that the equine animal will remainn the holding until dispatch to the place of destination stated in the health certificate, without stopping at any holding that is subject to official prohibitions in accordance with Article 4 or Article 5 of Directive 85/811/EEC.

The animal health certificate accompanying equidae shall bear the following words "Equidae conforming to Commission Decision 2001/356/EC of 4 May2001, concerning certain protection measures with regard to foot-and-mouthdisease
in the United Kingdom".

>Department Of Agriculture Food and Rural Development. Permit for the transport of horses imported from United Kingdom to a nominated premises of destination

Revised 20/06/01 Form FMD 4

Details of the Premises of Origin in UK
Name (keeper) Full address of premises Of origin in UK (from
which horses are being moved)

Details of the Race Meeting (if applicable)
Date of Meeting Address of Racetrack

Details of the Premises of Destination: N.B. horses must be kept isolated from susceptible species (cattle, sheep, pigs, goats) for 5 days after importation
Name (keeper) Full address of premises of destination (to which horses are being moved)

Date of issue of Movement permit

Fax Number for return of permit Permit Number
(Allocated to consignment by Department of Ag.)

Declaration by horse keeper:

I wish to notify the District Veterinary Office that I intend to import a horse(s) to the above mentioned destination. The horse(s) will be wiped down with a 0.5% citric acid solution prior to departure. The vehicle used to transport the horses will be thoroughly power hosed and disinfected with an approved disinfectant prior to loading the horses. Hay or straw bedding will not be used (see note below).

Signature of Horse Keeper: -_____________________________ Date: __________

Instructions for completion of form:
1. Fax the completed form to the District Veterinary Office for county of destination at least 24 hours in advance of movement.
2. Permit will be returned by fax with 'permit no.' completed.

Important Notes
* Horse(s) must also be accompanied by the appropriate Official Health Certification from the UK.
* Horse(s) must not come in contact with susceptible species (cattle, sheep, pigs, goats) for a minimum of 5 days after importation.
* Shredded paper, wood shavings or rubber mats may be used as bedding.

For further details go to the Department of Agriculture website
http://www.irlgov.ie/daff

The permit form will also be downloadable as a pdf (Acrobat Reader) file on
the EFI website http://www.horsesport.ie in the <International> section.