Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group

Customs Change for Temporary Thoroughbred Movement into Britain

Following continued representations to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) by the Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group, a change to customs procedure has been made which will facilitate movement of horses into Britain for breeding and racing.

A new, industry-specific, facilitation has now been agreed by HMRC to the Temporary Admission procedure, allowing intermediaries (such as a transporter or shipper) to apply for an authorisation enabling them to move Thoroughbreds under multiple ownerships, without the need for a financial guarantee. Previously, in the majority of cases, Thoroughbreds entering Great Britain on a temporary basis had to be accompanied by a financial guarantee, equivalent to 20% of its value. The change follows similar procedure enacted by the Irish Revenue for movements of Thoroughbreds into Ireland for racing earlier this year.

Julian Richmond-Watson, Chair of the Thoroughbred Industries Steering Group, said: “The Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group has been engaging and offering proactive solutions on this matter, which has been causing significant industry concern, in discussions with HM Treasury and HMRC.

“We are therefore very grateful to HMRC for this industry-specific facilitation which recognises both the financial value and importance of international movement of thoroughbreds, and the challenges which the requirement for a guarantee was posing to owners and breeders looking to run their horses or breed them in Great Britain.”

Following Brexit, The Group's overall objective is to secure a settled future framework in which there are reduced administrative burdens on the movement of Thoroughbreds.

“We are committed to improving the situation and delivering a lasting settlement under which movement of Thoroughbreds for international competition and breeding, underpinned by the highest standards of equine health and welfare, is realised,” added Richmond-Watson.

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Brexit Steering Group Update

With continuing uncertainty around the possibility of a Free Trade Agreement and the end of the transition period three weeks away, the Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group on Thursday released the following update:

“It remains the position of the Steering Group that an FTA being signed would be preferrable and engagement continues with the UK Government, governing bodies in other key racing jurisdictions and EU organisations. However even in the event of an FTA being signed there will still be significant changes to the movement of horses and people, as well as other policy areas, from Jan. 1. Further agreements will be required before the Group is in a position to clarify precisely what these changes will be.

“The Group continues to advise not to try and move horses for at least the first two weeks of January unless absolutely necessary and to engage the services of a shipping agent, transporter and/or customs agent as appropriate. The Steering Group has previously issued guidance on the likely new arrangements from Jan. 1; although this guidance remains subject to change, participants are urged to familiarise themselves with this information and with the latest information available from the UK Government.

“The easiest way to do this is via the Brexit webpage on britishhorseracing.com, where there are links to the latest government guidance as well as answers to specific queries. Additionally, an e-mail address for direct questions from participants on Brexit has been set up to assist as we approach the end of the transition period via brexit@weatherbys.co.uk.

“The Group will continue to keep participants updated and issue further communications as soon as there is more clarity in what is a fast-moving situation.”

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Brexit Steering Group: Avoid Movement Of Horses To EU In First Two Weeks Of 2021

The Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group, which leads horse racing's preparations for the UK's departure from the EU, has advised members of the industry not to move horses to and from the EU unless absolutely necessary for at least the first two weeks of 2021.

With less than seven weeks to go before the transition period expires, there will be significant changes to how horses move between the UK and the EU from Jan. 1, irrespective of whether a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is signed.

Whilst British racing is in regular contact with the relevant government departments to gather information and best prepare the industry for Brexit, some details remain to be fully clarified and the new travel arrangements will also be entirely dependent upon any agreement which may be made by the UK government with the EU.

The steering group remains hopeful that any such FTA that is signed will allow the outstanding points of detail to be resolved quickly, but as things stand confirmation on a number of matters is still pending:

The UK's status as a third country listing for animal health purposes following the end of the transition period
Authorizations to allow British transporters to operate within the EU and EU operators to operate in the UK
Recognition of the General Stud Book, (along with all other Stud Books and Breeding Books of all species), which identifies thoroughbreds and allows their movement as Registered horses.
Even in the event of agreements on these key areas for British racing being confirmed in the coming weeks, the Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group is of the view that there will be additional friction in moving thoroughbreds through key ports from Jan. 1, with the potential for initial disruption.

It is therefore advising that industry participants put off moving horses unless it is absolutely necessary within that initial two-week period, and to contact a transporter or shipping/customs agent for further guidance as a matter of priority.

Furthermore, following the confirmation of any FTA the Thoroughbred industry will need to understand the details of any equine health rules under which movements can take place as well as any replacement for the current Tripartite Agreement – originally made with France and Ireland – which currently governs Thoroughbred movements between Britain, France and Ireland.

The Chair of the Thoroughbred Industries Steering Group, Julian Richmond Watson said:

“We know that some people want to make plans for the New Year, but the picture will remain unclear until we know the terms of any new agreements between Britain and the EU.

“Even if there is an overarching trade deal, we will still need specific arrangements to be agreed covering the movement of thoroughbred horses.

“If industry members want to avoid the risk of delays or disruption, we advise them not to schedule movements in the first two weeks of 2021.

“Our message right now is 'Stand By, Change is Coming'. We would ask participants to keep up to date with the latest information regularly via the Brexit page on britishhorseracing.com and await direct communication from their membership body once we know the details.

“We continue to work closely with Defra and all other relevant UK government departments, who are well-informed about the needs of the racing and breeding industries. We are also in regular contact with our counterparts in Ireland and France and other EU jurisdictions.”

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Disruption To Horse Movement From Brexit Deadline

Ahead of the start of the 2021 breeding season, owners and breeders have been warned to avoid to avoid transporting horses between the UK and the EU in the first few weeks of January immediately following the expiry of the Brexit transition period.

A statement issued on Tuesday by the Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group, which is made up of representatives of the British Horseracing Authority, Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and Weatherbys, advised against horse movement in the early part of the new year “unless absolutely necessary”.

It continued, “With less than seven weeks to go before the transition period expires, there will be significant changes to how horses move between the UK and the EU from 1 January, irrespective of whether a Free Trade Agreement is signed.”

At present, clarification is still being sought by the group on Britain being granted third country status for animal health purposes, as well as authorisation for British horse transporters to operate in the EU and vice versa, and, crucially, recognition of the General Stud Book, which identifies Thoroughbreds and permits their movements.

The statement read, “Even in the event of agreements on these key areas for British racing being confirmed in the coming weeks, the Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group is of the view that there will be additional friction in moving thoroughbreds through key ports from 1 January, with the potential for initial disruption.”

Following confirmation of a Free Trade Agreement between the UK and the EU, further clarification will be required in regard to a potential replacement of the current Tripartite Agreement which governs movements of Thoroughbreds between Britain, Ireland and France.

Julian Richmond-Watson, chair of the Thoroughbred Industries Steering Group, said, “We know that some people want to make plans for the New Year, but the picture will remain unclear until we know the terms of any new agreements between Britain and the EU.

“Even if there is an overarching trade deal, we will still need specific arrangements to be agreed covering the movement of thoroughbred horses.

“If industry members want to avoid the risk of delays or disruption, we advise them not to schedule movements in the first two weeks of 2021.

“Our message right now is ‘Stand By, Change is Coming’. We would ask participants to keep up to date with the latest information regularly via the Brexit page on britishhorseracing.com and await direct communication from their membership body once we know the details.

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