13.—(1) For the purposes of Article 18(3), a person may only implant, or knowingly participate in the implantation of, a transponder into an equine if the person possesses the minimum qualification, and for this purpose the “minimum qualification” is that the person concerned is a current and registered member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
(2) For the purposes of Article 18(5), the responsible person must arrange for a veterinary surgeon to implant a transponder into an equine that is deemed to be identified in accordance with Articles 4(2) or 43(1) if—
(a)a previously implanted and recorded transponder ceases to function;
(b)the equine arrives in England having been subject to an alternative method of identity verification authorised by another member State under Article 21; or
(c)the equine—
(i)does not fall within sub-paragraphs (a) or (b);
(ii)has not already had a transponder implanted in compliance with the requirements or specifications as to transponders set out in the EU Regulation or Commission Regulation (EC) No 504/2008(1) of 6 June 2008 implementing Council Directives 90/426/EEC(2) and 90/427/EEC as regards methods for the identification of equidae; and
(iii)was born on or before 30th June 2009.
(3) A veterinary surgeon who implants a transponder into an equine must ensure that the transponder displays a code that is unique to the transponder.
OJ No. L 149, 7.6.2008, p. 3.
OJ No. L 224, 18.8.1990, p.42. The directive was repealed by Council Directive 2009/156/EC of 30 November 2009.