The Thoroughbred Industry’s Brexit Steering Group published further details on Tuesday concerning the future movement of horses and people to and from Europe after January 1.
Having recently warned industry participants not to travel horses to mainland Europe during the first two weeks of 2021, the steering group has now produced a checklist regarding both temporary and permanent movement of thoroughbreds into Europe.
The newly-released information, which takes the form of four key infographics and two timelines, aims to ensure the key requirements in relation to horse and people movement are shown in a format which is clear and easy to follow.
Four key areas are covered:
Health requirements – what checks your horse will require
Customs & VAT requirements – what you will need to move horses
Transport requirements – how to prepare for the transportation process
Changes to free movement – what this means for movement of people
While negotiations regarding a free trade agreement are still ongoing, the information has been released to allow participants sufficient time to familiarise themselves with the new arrangements and processes which could be required.
The latest information will continue to be available via the Brexit page on the BHA website at britishhorseracing.com. Extensive guidance is also available from the government via gov.uk.
Julian Richmond-Watson: right time to communicate the likely arrangements from January
Julian Richmond-Watson, Chair of the Thoroughbred Industry’s Brexit Steering Group, said: “Like many industries, we face a difficult balancing act in light of deciding when the right time is to communicate to our participants with negotiations still ongoing.
“Nonetheless, deal or no deal, there will be key changes to the way our interconnected industry operates from January 1.
“We are keen to ensure we give participants sufficient time to familiarise themselves with the relevant processes and have aimed to keep the information in as simple, short and engaging a format as possible.
“Given we still require clarity on a number of key policy areas, it is possible that this guidance may change, but the steering group felt it was right to be proactive and communicate what we anticipate the likely arrangements to be from January 1 from the information available.
“It remains our advice not to move horses in the first two weeks of January and to engage a shipping and or customs agent to assist you, particularly if you are operating on an individual basis or familiarising yourself with these new processes for the first time.
“We will continue to press government for clarification on the outstanding policy areas and communicate further progress to the industry as soon as we are able to.”
