A revised Tripartite Agreement (TPA) has come into force allowing for traceable movement of horses, including thoroughbreds, between Britain, Ireland and France.
The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, British Horseracing Authority, Weatherbys and British Equestrian Federation have been working in conjunction with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Animal Health Veterinary Laboratories Agency to see this regulation imposed.
The amendment of the TPA consents horses which are of demonstrably higher health status than the general horse population, and therefore at lower risk of transmitting disease, to travel under the TPA without veterinary health certification.
These are:
- Registered General Stud Book (GSB) thoroughbreds in Britain, France and Ireland, or which are registered in Weatherbys’ Non-Thoroughbred Register (NTR), or Autre Que Pur Sang (AQPS) horses for breeding, sale, training and racing in France.
- Sport horses and ponies entered into Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) governed competition in France.
These two groups of horses have been assigned a high health status because of the regularity of veterinary checks they undergo and their compliance with their governing bodies’ vaccination policies and veterinary regulations.
Commenting on the amendment, Louise Kemble, TBA Chief Executive, said: “The TBA recognised the importance of continued free movement for thoroughbreds between the UK, France and Ireland, and have worked with other stakeholders to retain this important derogation.
“It will require new compliance measures for horses moving between the UK and France but this will improve traceability and protect the health status of thoroughbreds.”
