Horse Passports Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations implement Council Directive 90/426/EEC (O.J. No. L224, 18.8.1990, p. 42), Council Directive 90/427/EEC (O.J. No. L224, 18.8.1990, p. 55) and Commission Decisions 92/353/EEC (O.J. No. L192, 11.7.1992, p. 63), 93/623/EEC (O.J. No. L298, 3.12.1993, p. 45) and 2000/68/EC (O.J. No. L23, 28.1.2000, p. 72). They revoke and replace the Horse Passports Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999.

The Regulations specify which organisations are authorised to issue passports and give them powers and duties (regulations 3 to 5), make provision for application and issue of passports (regulations 6 to 12 and the Schedule) and make provision for horses entering Northern Ireland (regulation 13).

They make requirements concerning the declaration to be made on the passport relating to slaughter for human consumption (regulation 14).

They prohibit defacement of passports, make it an offence to possess a false passport and make provision for the replacement of lost passports (regulations 15 and 16).

They specify that horses must be accompanied by their passports when used for certain purposes (regulation 17).

They impose duties on veterinary surgeons and other persons to mark the passport when they administer veterinary medicines (regulation 18).

They make provision relating to the sale of a horse (regulation 19) and relating to the slaughter of a horse (regulation 20).

They contain provisions relating to powers of authorised officers and obstruction offences (regulations 21 and 22).

They set out offences and penalties (regulations 23 and 24). In the case of failing to comply with regulation 3(4) (issue of a document purporting to be a passport), regulation 18(2)(c), 18(2)(d) or 18(4) (completion of the passport following administration of a veterinary medicinal product) or regulation 20 (slaughter for human consumption) a person is liable –

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or both; or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.

A person guilty of any other offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared. Copies can be obtained from Farm Policy Branch, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3SB.