Application for Health Certificate for Export of Horses
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Equine animals, such as horses or donkeys, must be accompanied by a health certificate if they are being exported to other EU countries or to countries outside the EU. The health certificate contains information on the planned journey and the health status of the animals.
Equines exported to other EU countries, including those for slaughter, must be accompanied by an intra-EU trade health certificate (ITAHC), which is issued by this Department.
When exporting an equine to a third country via another EU country, the equine must be accompanied by an official health certificate for that third country, as well as by an ITAHC. Both certificates are issued by this Department. Equines requiring a health certificate must be inspected by an official veterinarian, (often within 24 or 48 hours before departure depending on country of destination), and a veterinary inspection fee is payable.
France and the UK
Until 31 December 2020, EU rules on movement of horses between Ireland and the UK will apply.
Horses currently moving between Ireland and the UK under the Tripartite Agreement (TPA) do not require a pre-export inspection by an official veterinarian or an ITAHC. They must be accompanied by a valid passport.
Any equine, including horses for slaughter, which may not travel to the UK under the TPA requires an ITAHC. The passport issuing body for your horse can advise on its TPA status.
Exports to France of a horse permitted to travel under the TPA do not require an ITAHC. The horse must be accompanied by a document known as a DOCOM, which is created on TRACES by the exporter, , and the equine passport. Official welfare inspections are conducted on a random basis.
Applications for health certificates for horse exports to other EU member states will be processed within 3 working days of receipt of the application, if the paperwork is correct. Applications for health certificates for export to non-EU countries are processed within 5 working days of receipt of the application with correct paperwork.
Exporting horses within the EU: please read the trader notices and guidance notes at the link below.Contact your local Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) for further information.
Exporting horses to a non-EU country: please contact horseexports@agriculture.gov.ie or 01- 607 2465 for further information.
Trader Notice TN _01 2020_Covid ITAHC
Appendix 1_Guidance Note TRACES 1_17 04 2020
Appendix 2_RVO Contact details _ITAHC
Appendix 3_Template PVP Cert for EU
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