Brexit

The third Economic Impact Study of the British Thoroughbred breeding industry was published on Wednesday. In the report, key opportunities and challenges for the sector were outlined and provide a blueprint for future progress. Building on reports published in 2014 and 2018, the study was commissioned by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) and conducted by PwC. Both the Racing Foundation and Horseracing Betting Levy Board (HBLB) funded the project. British breeding was found to have an impact of over £375m of gross value added to the rural economy, as well...

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...

The European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations held its 2021 AGM on Nov. 23 in Newmarket, where the movement of Thoroughbreds between Europe and the UK post Brexit was one of the key topics discussed. The federation is continuing its work on securing HHB status for Thoroughbreds. Plans were also made for the federation to produce a European stud farm environmental impact study, and a sub committee was formed to look into the formulation of an official federation welfare strategy to raise awareness about the high level of care Thoroughbreds...

Six-month statistics for horse racing and breeding in Ireland shows underlying growth in the industry despite the ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. The report was released by Horse Racing Ireland on Thursday. The metrics of horses in training (+24%), owners (+23.9%), new owner (+31%),  runners (+23.8%), fixtures (+8.4%), and race numbers (+14.6) have all shown strong growth over the corresponding pre-pandemic figures for 2019. Attendance at Irish racecourses was the major area where figures suffered, as there has been no public attendance at any racemeeting in Ireland for...

The implementation of the EU Animal Health Law, due to go into effect on Apr. 21, will instead begin on Aug. 21, the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association announced on Monday. The rule affects Thoroughbred movements to the EU, and, whilst not yet formally ratified, the Thoroughbred Brexit Steering Group's understanding is that EU technical experts have approved a delay to the application of the new rule for equine exports until late August. Existing Export Health Certificates, among other export documents will remain valid until the revised start date. The TBA's advice...

While Britain, Ireland and France are competing nations in the racing and breeding world, in recent years the Tripartite Agreement (TPA) has significantly eased the regular interaction between the three, particularly in regard to transporting broodmares and racehorses. The TPA recognised the high health status of Thoroughbreds and allowed for free equine movement between the countries.  All that changed, however, when Britain's departure from the European Union was finalised with the end of the transition period on Dec. 31. Now that the UK is no longer an EU member it...

A bipartite agreement on the movement of horses between Ireland and France has made advances in recent days, with Britain agreeing to accept EU Documents of Movement for horses across its land bridge. Operators will not be required to separately notify the UK import system and, in order to safeguard animal welfare, Irish operators will not be required to seal vehicles for export of horses to and through Britain. Indications from the UK Government are that a stopover facility will be permitted. Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland,...

Horse Racing Ireland's 2021 budget has been approved, with measures to combat the threats of COVID-19 and Brexit key among the priorities. Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said, "The HRI budget for 2021 is set in the context of two lifetime challenges hitting the sector simultaneously and the priority is to shield the industry from the impacts of both Covid-19 and Brexit, while being cognisant of the welfare of our horses and the people that work with them. Thanks to the effort of many, the finances of...

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...

The likely new arrangements pertaining to the movement of horses and people to and from the European Union from the UK beginning on Jan. 1 has been published for the British racing and breeding industries by the British Horseracing Authority. The information covers four key areas: Health Requirements-what checks your horse will require Customs & VAT requirements-what you will need to move horses Transport requirements-how to prepare for the transportation process Changes to free movement-what this means for movement of people A timeline for the requirements for horse movement has...

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...

A proposal on cross-border horse movement between EU Member States and Britain once the latter exits the European Union has been sent to Michel Barnier, the European Commission's head of task force for relations with the United Kingdom; and to Lord Frost, the British Prime Minister's Europe adviser and chief negotiator of Task Force Europe. The proposal includes the use of digital passports to facilitate international transport with full traceability and sanitary guarantees as well as immediate access to vaccination and medical records of guaranteed high-health status horses; and zero...