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NEW PASSPORT
LEGISLATION
This Society
became aware of this issue over two years ago and since then has been involved
in discussions with various members of the industry and DEFRA. A consultation
document on the subject was sent out by DEFRA back in July 2000, but
unfortunately when FMD hit at the beginning of 2001 the whole issue was put on
hold. DEFRA also had to consult their legal advisors, as to what impact this
proposed legislation would have and whether there was any room for manoeuvre
with regard to all horses having to be issued with a passport.
At a meeting with the
Minister recently, he informed us that there was no option and the legislation
would have to be in force by December 2003.
It is now up to the implementation
group to try and work out the best and most cost effective way of implementing
this legislation, whilst also at least trying to achieve something positive out
of it for the industry as a whole.
As a DEFRA approved passport issuing authority, all passports
issued by this Society since August 2000 already comply with the new
legislation. Owners will not be required to do anything further.
Any older passport which has been returned to the office since this
date, for a change of ownership etc will also comply as the new medicine
legislation pages will have been inserted at that time.
All other DEFRA approved
organisations i.e. most Breed Societies will also already have complied with
this legislation, as we have. So the answer is DON'T PANIC, many people will
not have to do anything further if they already have a recently issued Breed
Society passport.
THIS SOCIETY ISSUES DEFRA APPROVED BASIC IDENTITY PASSPORTS TO HORSES WITH
UNKNOWN BREEDING OR ALTERNATIVELY HORSES MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR STUD BOOK
REGISTRATION.
Basic Identity
Passports are on offer, cost is reduced to £25.00.
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