EMHF calls for flexibility in EU-UK agreement to aid thoroughbred movements

The European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF) has written to European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and to Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, as Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU. It welcomes reports that negotiators have completed a draft text of the EU–UK Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement, and urges that the Agreement be concluded at the EU–UK Summit in Brussels on 20 November.

EMHF says EU law already contains the tool to restore the Tripartite approach. Article 69 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 allows registered horses to move between Member States without an animal health certificate, where the countries concerned agree and can trace the animals. EMHF asks that the SPS Agreement let Great Britain use it.

Dr Paull Khan, CEO of EMHF, said:

“For half a century, the Tripartite Agreement proved that high-health racehorses can cross borders safely without routine checks, because our industry’s own controls ensure higher health standards. Since 2021, that trust has been replaced by paperwork and long waits at border posts, and thoroughbred movements between Britain and the EU have fallen by more than a quarter, even as Britain’s movements with the rest of the world have grown. The tools to fix this already exist in EU law. We urge negotiators to make sure the agreement concluded on 20 November allows for agreements between the UK and EU member states on free movement of horses, for the welfare of our horses and for breeders, owners and trainers across Europe.”