Horse Export Testing

Our Official Veterinarians are accredited by the Government to certify horses and ponies for export from the UK to other countries. The administrative requirements for horse export testing have changed considerably since Brexit and are now more complicated than previously. An outline of the necessary steps is provided below – for greater detail, specific questions and to apply for an Export Health Certificate please (EHC) visit the government website.

You need to complete an EHC and supporting documents to export or move a live animal from Great Britain to the EU or Northern Ireland. The EHC is an official document that confirms your export meets the health requirements of the destination country.

Exporting or moving equines from Great Britain to the EU or Northern Ireland
To export or move horses and other equines from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to the EU or Northern Ireland, you need to contact:
• Hook Norton Equine Vets – to book an appointment so you can get blood tests taken in time. Please book in plenty of time, as the blood samples are sent away to a Government laboratory and may take up to 2 weeks before the results are ready.
• an agent or transporter and tell them when you plan to travel. Your transporter organises your travel and documentation for you to make sure everything is in order.

You also need to:
• apply for an export health certificate (EHC)
• meet isolation and residency requirements
• check you have the right equine identification (ID)
• be aware of EU border rules
• check that the person transporting the animals has the correct documentation
• check if you need an export welfare declaration
• check if you need a county parish holding (CPH) number

Your agent or transporter will help you with these requirements.

Contact us if you would like to book an appointment for export blood samples to be taken.