Why do horse passports have to accompany them when traveling?

[lialls]

I'm wrighting an assignment atm and need to know the asnwer to the above question. I always thought that it was to do with horses being stolen but have just looked at DEFRA's website and it seems that its to do with drugs being adminstered to horses that are going in to the food chain? Any ideas anyone?

 

[Divasmum]

I think it's a European Community Law.

 

[Orangehorse]

A passport is nothing to do with horses being stolen, it is to identify which have had certain drugs administered to them. A horse has to have its passport if it is going to a show, for breeding, changing homes, but not just going for a hack somewhere.

 

[Rollin]

Originally horse passports were introduced in order to make sure that drugs such as BUTE do not enter the food chain. Vets are required to enter onto the horse's passport the date and amount of BUTE prescribed, unless the owner has signed the declaration in the passport to say that this horse is NOT for human food consumption. This was EU legislation and applies to all member states.

Now passports are used more widely as ID documents they are used by prospective purchasers and vets to check ID and also in competition.

I find the original legislation a bit of a farce. I have never seen horse meat for sale in a supermarket here in France - of French origin. It all comes from Mexico or Canada where the legislation does not apply.

If I want BUTE I can order if otc from my local pharmacy or get it from my vet's receptionist. No one has ever asked to see my horse's passport.

 

[lialls]

Thanks for clearing that up guys.