Breeder Support

Freedom of movement of people between the UK and EU has now ended, and the UK has introduced an immigration system that treats all applicants equally, regardless of where they come from.  The points-based immigration system now in place means that:

• Anyone recruited from outside the UK, excluding Irish citizens, needs to meet certain requirements and apply for permission first.
• Employers will need to have a sponsor licence to hire most workers from outside the UK. 
• Employers should plan ahead before recruiting anyone from outside the UK as it may take time to complete the necessary requirements and are strongly advised to seek professional advice as a first step.

Information can be found at:

Employing someone from outside the UK – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The BHA, NTF & TBA campaigned for key roles in the racing and breeding industries to be included in the Immigration Salary List (ISL). Despite a hardening approach to immigration, on 14^th March, 2024 the Government confirmed that the roles of Work Rider, Racing Groom, Stallion Handler, Stud Hand and Stud Groom had been added to the ISL. This reduces the minimum salary level for workers from abroad.

Rapid review of the Immigration Salary List (accessible) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Migrate-UK specialise in providing corporate and individual immigration advice and offers free initial advice (15 minutes).  Their main services relate to the points-based system (PBS) sponsorship and compliance, as well as training HR departments of UK based organisations on required record keeping practices. To find out more, you can contact a member of the Migrate-UK team on 01235 841568, email [email protected] or visit the website at https://migrate-uk.com/

If you plan to move your thoroughbred to or from the UK to the EU, please review the current government guidance for importing and exporting horses and other equines through the links below, and review the Thoroughbred Breeding Industry FAQs.

• Updated 22-7-2024- Export horses and ponies: special rules – click here.
• Getting and using a horse passport: Import or export a horse or related animal – click here.
• Get an EORI number – click here.

If you are not using a transporter company to organise the transport for you, you should also refer to the following links: 

• Register for the Import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS) if you plan to import horses from the EU.
• Register for the Export Health Certification Online (ECHO) if you plan to export horses from the UK. Guides from Defra on how to access the system and manage the application process can be accessed here.
• Register for a EHC number. You will not be able to apply for EU EHCs if you are not registered.   Please note, it is important that each organisation only registers once. After registering, additional people can be added to the organisation’s account. If you are not the person who will register your organisation, please can you pass on the above links to the most appropriate person. 
• Register as an export business: www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-export-health-certificate.
• Register as a Certifier (for Official Veterinarians, Food Safety Competency Officers, Certification Support Officers and their support staff only): www.gov.uk/guidance/certify-an-export-health-certificate.
• Guidance on how to get an EHC: www.gov.uk/guidance/get-an-export-health-certificate. Guidance Document Repository on Gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-register-for-export-health-certificate-ehc-online. Watch the UK government webinar on applying for Export Health Certificates here.

Read more about The Border Operating Model here.

VAT on Temporary Export and Import of Thoroughbreds

A new, industry-specific, facilitation has now been agreed by HMRC to the Temporary Admission procedure. This allows 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 to be provided on these movements.

Moving horses from GB to Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021:

The UK government has published the Northern Ireland Protocol, which sets out the details of an agreement in principle for implementation. In summary it advises:

• Equines moving from GB to NI will need to enter NI at a designated point of entry, where they may be subject to controls. Pre-notification requirements will also apply.
• There will be no changes to the way equines are exported from NI to the EU. These exports will continue as before.
• There will be no changes in the way horses and other equines are moved from NI to GB from 1 January 2021. These movements will continue as before.

The UK government has launched the ‘Movement Assistance Scheme’ to assist people who transport animals from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. The support includes a dedicated helpline and will mean businesses will not have to pay certification costs. Click here to access information on the scheme.

Regumate Equine 2.2 mg/ml Oral Solution for Horses
As of the breeding stock sales of 2020 the TBA wishes to remind members that the anabolic steroids trendione, trenbolone and epitrenbolone (which are present in in Altrenogest) are “prohibited at all times substances” under the BHA rules of racing.   Please read the attached note.  Key information for TBA members is highlighted within the advice note and reproduced below:

Due to the presence of trendione having been detected in Regumate® Equine, Regumate® Porcine and the Bova product, the BHA advise that the possession, use or attempted use, and administration or attempted administration of these products could amount to breaches of the Rules of Racing (including that presence of trenbolone/trendione in a sample may result in a 14 month suspension from racing and a 12 month mandatory stand down from racing for the horse in addition to other penalties for the Responsible Person).

As such, we would advise trainers and other industry participants to remove altrenogest containing products (including Regumate® Equine and/or Regumate® Porcine and the Bova product) from all licensed premises, and not to administer any product containing altrenogest to a Thoroughbred from birth until permanent retirement from racing (this includes yearlings/other horses prior to entering training).

Note: Administration of Altrenogest to Pregnant mares. The BHA have no jurisdiction over Thoroughbred broodmares, provided they have been permanently retired from racing.  Treatment of pregnant mares with altrenogest is common. Where any altrenogest-containing product is being administered to pregnant mares as a therapeutic treatment under the prescription of a veterinary surgeon, we would advise that this treatment can continue, in the interests of the welfare of the mare and unborn foal*.

*Altrenogest has been documented to be detectable in the plasma of foals at birth which are born to mares that have been treated with altrenogest from 280 days of gestation until foaling.  The BHA are undertaking further work to study the administration of altrenogest to pregnant mares, and determine whether trenbolone and/or trendione are detectable in foals at birth.

Therefore, we must continue to endorse the BHA’s recommendations and recommend to TBA members that they should:

• Restrict the use of Regumate Equine to broodmares that have been permanently retired from racing.
• Be careful not to treat fillies out of training that are intended to or may return to racing and those that may be sold or change location and may unpredictably return to racing.
• Not to use Regumate Equine in foals, yearlings or horses in or waiting to enter pre-training, of either sex, for whatever reason, including sales preparation.
• Maintain secure storage of Regumate Equine supplies on studfarms to prevent its accidental use.
• Restrict access to and administration of Regumate Equine to specifically selected and trained staff.
• Keep detailed and secure records of all mares that are treated with Regumate Equine for justifiable veterinary reasons and evidence to confirm that they were believed to be permanently retired from racing, at the time of treatment.

TBA Veterinary Advisors:              James Crowhurst MRCVS& Professor Sidney Ricketts

Goffs and Tattersalls policies for Corticosteroids and Bronchodilators (Since August 2020):
Tattersalls and Goffs have introduced restrictions relating to the use of corticosteroids and bronchodilators, including Clenbuterol, for all yearlings, and horses in and out of training including Breeze Up two year olds, sold at sales conducted by the two sales houses. The restrictions have been in effect since 2020.