FRUSTRATED by the difficulties created by travel paperwork and animal welfare issues encountered post Brexit, a group of affected individuals gathered at Belfast port last Thursday for a peaceful protest. These included horse owners, as well as poultry, sheep and cattle owners.

They feel the introduction of the Northern Ireland Protocol, the Irish Sea Border and the resulting regulations have made travelling with animals to mainland UK too difficult due to red-tape, the expense of veterinary interventions and the possibility of having to quarantine animals.

Hopes that the more recent Windsor Framework would once again allow free movement have not come to fruition, leading to the protest.

Impacted

Felim Crane from Co Fermanagh buys and sells horses and ponies and, prior to Brexit, travelled to the mainland every week to deliver animals and, to make the journey worthwhile, he would have bought some more while there to bring home to Northern Ireland. He is no longer able to do so as frequently and now might just travel once each month.

“In the UK, horses are classed as a pet and, as such, according to the Northern Ireland Protocol, only need a passport and a microchip to travel – this has not changed under the Windsor Framework,” Crane said.

In reality, however, regulations mean that, while travelling out of Northern Ireland is straightforward and only requires an Animal Transport Certificate, a passport and a microchip, trying to get an animal home again or bring a new animal into Northern Ireland is much more complex and requires registration on the DAERA system, along with more significant paperwork and a suitably qualified vet to sign off the horse as being fit to travel. For those animals out of Northern Ireland for more than 30 days or those coming to Northern Ireland for the first time, a Coggins (blood) test is also required.

“This is a problem for those travelling with horses, but there are also issues for cattle, sheep and poultry. In fact, if cattle and sheep are taken to the mainland, they may need to quarantine for up to six months before coming home,” Crane said. “Politicians have no idea the effect this is having on agriculture across Ireland. For horses, breeding operations have been greatly affected, due to mares not being able to travel to and from the UK.”

Mr Crane believes that the process needs to be made simpler: “If they did away with the blood tests, we could cope with it. If someone is travelling for less than seven days, they shouldn’t need a health certificate to return home.”

Other issues are the lack of clear instructions of what is required, as well as the distinction between a professional, who is engaged in economic activity, and an amateur, whose horses are their hobby.

Clarity

Shirley Anderson rides as a hobby. She is Vice Chairman of the Side Saddle Association (UK) and travels to compete on the mainland with her two horses.

Shirley has studied the DAERA website and the regulations, which she says clearly state that they apply to those who are making money from horses. Yet everyone has to comply with the inspections and health certificates.

“We need clarity and simplicity for travelling horses and ponies across the Irish Sea and port personnel should have an understanding of the guidance given to the public to avoid confusion and disappointment at the port,” she said.

If you have been affected by the Irish Sea Border when travelling your horse or pony, please contact us at horseworld@theirishfield.ie