IRISH horses will continue to enjoy free movement into the United Kingdom post-Brexit, according to the British Horseracing Authority [BHA], regardless of whether or not the House of Commons approves a Withdrawal Agreement.

Britain is due to leave the European Union on March 29th and this will immediately invalidate the Tripartite Agreement which has allowed registered equines move freely between Ireland, Britain and France.

If a Withdrawal Agreement between Britain and the EU can be reached before that date, there will be a transition period until at least December 2020 which will see a continuation of the current free movement of thoroughbreds between Britain, Ireland and France.

There is great uncertainty over what will happen in the event of no deal being agreed by March 29th but yesterday [Friday] the BHA said it was confident that there will be no new barriers facing Irish horses coming into Britain in the event of no deal.

Julian Richmond-Watson, chair of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA) and of the British Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group, said: “With continuing uncertainty around the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, it is only right that the thoroughbred industries prepare for all scenarios, including a No Deal which we hope can be avoided.

“We have been very encouraged by our engagement with Government around preparations for a No Deal, and endorse its stance that current systems for horse movement into the UK will continue in these circumstances.”

While the BHA statement is reassuring it remains to be seen whether horseboxes will face longer delays at ports due to checks being carried out on other vehicles.

The BHA also had news on government plans to ensure that British horses can enter EU countries without too much inconvenience. The racing authority says that it has received confirmation that, if the UK does leave the EU without a deal, it will be treated as a ‘third country’ by the EU.

The UK government has submitted its application for listing as a third country to continue exporting live animals and animal products to the EU after Brexit.

“Upon the UK achieving such listing the process for thoroughbreds returning or travelling to, for instance, Ireland or France, will become clearer, and the relevant guidance will be provided,” said the BHA statement.

Fears that EU driving licences would not be valid in Britain have also been addressed. The European Commission has recently published proposals that would allow UK hauliers to continue carrying goods into the EU until the end of 2019 if there is no deal, without the need for an ECMT permit. The UK Government intends to reciprocate.

The Steering Group has also applied to have the racing industry added to the Shortage Occupation List, a move designed to help non-British stable staff continue living in the UK. “If that were to happen, it would mean that those wishing to come to the UK to work in the racing industry could be processed far more quickly,” said the BHA.

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