Princess Haya, in her position as President of the FEI, has spoken out in favour of compulsory microchipping and passporting. Speaking to top European Veterinary officials attending the third European Veterinary Week (EVW) in Brussels today, the FEI President highlighted the need to create a clear distinction between the sport horse as an equine athlete and livestock that is part of the food chain.
“As an industry and as an organisation, we completely support the EU requirement for the now compulsory passports of all equines within the community and the introduction of mandatory microchipping”

The whole FEI article can be read HERE.

At last this issue is being addressed by a wider section of the horse population. To date, those concerned with traceability and identification of equines have been mostly welfare groups and government organisations concerned about the health aspects within the food chain.

With the export of unwanted/unsound British horses to European abattoirs, and the import of well bred but unsound European horses from the abattoirs queues to be sold on as competition horses in the UK, this is a welcome and overdue raising of the topic.

We also support the suggestions for changes to the TPA in this INAGS ARTICLE.