Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Accepted in Part
The proposals put forward in Defra’s upcoming equine identification consultation should be digital by design...
Recommendation
The proposals put forward in Defra’s upcoming equine identification consultation should be digital by design and easy to use, except in exceptional circumstances, such as the studbook network which is vital for the support of native, rare and indigenous breeds. It is our understanding that these systems already exist within the industry. The Government should embrace these systems or guarantee interoperability with them. Alongside this new identification system Defra should develop a funded action plan to enforce the identification rules. The consultation should be published within the next three months and the action plan should be published within three months of the consultation’s conclusion. (Paragraph 63) Moving livestock
Government response summary AI-generated
The government will launch a new public consultation early in the new year to improve equine ID and traceability, focusing on digitisation and ease of record updates, while preserving studbook arrangements. However, there is no commitment to a funded action plan for enforcement.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted in Part
The Government is clear that our departure from the EU has provided us with an opportunity to improve the existing equine ID and traceability regime in England. We can act on our own national priorities for robust equine health and welfare and continue to protect public health. As set out in our Action Plan for Animal Welfare, proposed changes, including further digitisation, will be considered as part of a new public consultation we now plan to launch early in the new year. As part of our approach, we will focus on making it easier for owners and others who are responsible for equines to update their records. This will make the Central Equine animal welfare and disease controls. We recognise the critical importance of studbooks and the work of breed societies in supporting native breeds and we do not propose to materially alter these arrangements. Moving Livestock
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