YO been asked by council to check our passports?

ElvisandTilly

ElvisandTilly

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Our YO had a visit from the council advising her that she now had to check liveries horse passports and that owners were in possession of one.

I didn't think anything of this request till someone rang the council to check this and they say they don't know anything about it. Is this a scam or is it a genuine request?
 
Is she sure it was someone from the council or Trading standards? Not 100% sure but doesn't the new legistlation that came out sat summit about that livery yard owners being the "Keepers" and must be able to present a horses passport if asked and if they are not in posession of the horses passport they need to be able to produce it within six hours? Not sure its all so complicated.
 
Are you sure it was the Council, as policing of Passports is down to Trading Standards. A bit odd I think, but as long as they don't visit, no harm done. If anyone does visit, make sure theYO rings to confirm they are who they say they are, as there is a scam running at the moment, with bogus officals checking out yards. Apparently.
tongue.gif
 
and to think the regulations are about to get tougher if they manage to introduce the livery yard and stud taxes ....... maybe not a wise move during a recession but Ive no doubt it will get passed eventually if the EU have their way
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Your YO should have received a letter from the Council advising that a bill is being prepared for parliament to licence all livery yards. They will need to make an initial yard visit to assess the standards, i.e. fencing, stables, ventilation, muck heap, contracts, H&S Policy, worming/vaccination programme, etc. Once the legislation is in place the Council will carry out an official visit with a vet and make any recommendations necessary for the yard to hold a licence.

There is a compendium available from your Council which covers the legal responsibilities of the YO which you may find helpful.

Mrs M is quite right in that passports must legally be held by the YO/YM for horses on full livery. Also, the law now states that should you be stopped by DEFRA whilst hacking or travelling your horse, you have 3 hours to produce your passport on request, although I believe the intention is to be flexible on this front.

Feel free to PM me if you want any more info.
 
I'm still a bit confused on these regulations. I don't run a livery yard, but do have a pony which belongs to friends for which they make a small payment. When I queried this I was informed that if there is a financial transaction, then I am a livery yard. If this is the case many horse owners may find they lose their stabling!
 
How the hell is anyone out hacking going to be able to produce a passport within 3 hours, some times I'm out hacking for 3.5 hours, I have even been out for 8.5 hours, do these people actually live in the real world.

Sounds like one good thing to come out of this will be fencing
should be better so less chance of horses getting out onto the road.
 
I will watch with interest at the road side while a Dufra or a council offal wait for 3 hours at the road side while 15 travellers or more all go running into their caravans to find their passports, and what a Dufra or Council offal is going to do when they havent got one...........
 
This has been raised several times before. If you google the website of the European parliament you can read the legislation in its entirety (identification of equidae).

A horse should be accompanied by its passport EXCEPT when hacking out or when being moved from stable to field for turnout.

I helped a friend with a vet inspection for a Pony Trekking Centre. The vet was appointed by the local council and the cost then was about £100. He was very nice and helpful and focused on health and safety. For example Fire Risks, First Aid kits etc as well as checking Pony Trekking Ponies.

He had lots of experience in this role and was very helpful.
 
If you own or look after a horse you must be able to produce the passport without delay in the event of an inspection.

Your passport must accompany the horse at all times other than when out hacking.

Please see: www.direct.gov.uk/horsepassports
E-mail helpline: helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 08459 33 55 77

The regulations are enforced by the Fair Standards Trading Officer.

Hope this helps you.

Peter Natt BHS Voluntary Access Officer North Hertfordshire and Stevenage
 
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Thank you all for the info. Will have a word with YO as to who exactly it was that came from the council. From what I understand from reading all info we have to show our passports.

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Yes but dont show them to someone who cannot produce ID
In my local authority the person is an Animal Health Officer attached to Trading Standards Dept in Regional Council.
 
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