General Election 2024 - Manifesto for the Horse

Read the British Horse Council's Manifesto for the Horse      Manifesto

In advance of the General Election, we have been asking doorstep canvassers and representatives of political parties the following questions, which you are welcome to reinforce:

• The horse industry is worth £9bn a year to the UK but faces ever growing challenges that require an effective horse identification system. What will you do to implement digital horse ID?
• More women, over 45s and disabled people ride than take part in other physical activity, yet unfair business rates are restricting access to riding. What will you do to ensure this activity remains available for everyone?
• Last year 66 horses were killed on the roads and the situation is getting worse, whilst access to off road riding is becoming more limited. What will you do to keep horses and riders safe?

UK-EU SPS Agreement - Call for information - April 2026

All stakeholders affected by changes in certification requirements and admin procedures since the UK left the EU in 2020 were invited to complete Government’s Call for Information in April 2026. Government is currently collating its response to the 500 submissions received, and we will put a link here when it’s published.

The full Call for Information document can be accessed through the button below.

 Call for information document

UK/EU Summit - May 2025

Following the EU UK Summit in May 2025, it has been agreed that the vast majority of movements of animals (and animal products, plants, and plant products) between Great Britain and the European Union would be undertaken without the certificates or controls that are currently required. BHC looks forward to being part of these ongoing discussions and has submitted a response to the recent EFRA Committee Call for Evidence.

 More info     BHC response

Border Target Operating Model

Defra’s final plans for a new approach to importing goods into Great Britain, which have been progressively introduced since the end of January 2024.

 More info

What Does the Future Look Like for Managing Horse Passports and Horse Information?

Both Defra and the British Horse Council consulted or surveyed on equine ID during 2022.

 Defra Consultation Outcome   BHC Survey Report

Brexit information  New Rules More links

All updates feature at .GOV.UK. We have included the most relevant links on our links page. The list is not exhaustive, depending on your individual circumstances there may be more you need to know.