With the UK’s exit from the European Union imminent, there are still unanswered questions as to what might be the effects of the split. This is no different within the equine industry, where easy access to the continent has often been a positive influence over the years. Not wanting to remain in the dark, here at The Insurance Emporium, we’ve spoken to our horse health expert to ask how Brexit might affect the equine industry. Read on to find out what we discovered!
Vets
Depending upon the impact of Brexit on supply chains internationally, the availability of some drugs could potentially be impacted. This might be as a result of delays at customs, changes to packaging and drug licensing or regulations. In the worst case, this could lead to an increase in the cost to vets of buying in medications and drugs, which might then end up being passed on to owners.
Transport
Currently, we don’t know if the UK will leave the EU with or without a deal. If there’s no deal, horses travelling to the continent might require additional health and identification documents. In the worst case, we could be unable to export horses to the EU. If extra blood tests are required for horses to travel, owners will need to be prepared for the extra planning and costs that might be involved.
Breeding
The timing of Brexit isn’t ideal for breeders, coming at the start of the horse breeding season. If breeders are importing semen from the EU, Brexit could have implications on the ease of doing so. For both chilled and frozen semen there may be increased costs, associated with importing and exporting goods across borders. Importing chilled specimens post-Brexit might become more difficult, as if there are any delays at border checks, it might not reach the mare in time.
Sport and competition
The effect of Brexit on travel for horses, especially for racehorses, could be serious, although given the current indecision, we can’t yet determine just how severe this might be. At the moment, around 10,000 horses travel between the UK and Ireland each year, and 5,000 are moved between the UK and France! If each animal has to undergo health checks at the border, it could lead to delays for horses travelling across borders. If they’re delayed, horses could end up stuck waiting on lorries, becoming stressed and tired, as well as potentially arriving late for events.
The effects that Brexit will have upon the equine world are as yet uncertain. If, however, you have any concerns, your vet might be able to answer any questions for you. Until the 29th of March, you might also want to keep an eye out for news on this issue, so that any changes don’t come as too much of a surprise! Whatever the outcome, the most important thing is not to allow Brexit to get in the way of your future equine adventures!
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