Friday, 10 April 2026
A Call for Information has been launched by Defra to assist with a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement which it’s anticipated will make it easier, cheaper and more predictable to move goods to the EU and around the UK – this includes horses and associated 'products'.
We’re calling on the equestrian industry to make your voice known and represent our case with conviction and passion. The current parameters for movements to and from the EU aren’t sustainable for our industry – it impacts on each and every one of us. Of course, the additional cost, time and barriers are a huge factor – but for those taking horses through Border Control Points, the negative impact on equine welfare is unacceptable.
This is our chance to make a difference – and put equestrian activities firmly in the conversations around the negotiations. Your submissions will help the British Horse Council and British Equestrian put forward our industry’s case effectively – and convincingly. We need a seat at the table and the more we can represent our industry and activities – and the economic impact current operating conditions continue to have – the better for us all.
Submitting a response will provide Defra and Cabinet Office with specific details of your issues and your requirements that need to be addressed will give us the best chance of a positive outcome from the 2027 proposed changes to movements to and from the EU. We want to see every area of our industry represented.
We expect that the proposed changes will reduce the need to border checks and documentary controls on equines and germinal products being moved in and out of GB, easing the burden of legitimate movements. In order for this to happen we will need to “Dynamically Align” with the EU, meaning that we will have to adopt some of their regulations.
The online form may take a couple of hours to complete which we appreciate isn’t easy. To that end, we’ve put together a guidance document to help you prepare to do your submission – having everything prepared ahead of time will make the process easier and quicker. We’ve also made a crib sheet of suggested answers to help guide or use. These documents, and a copy of the questionnaire, are below:
Guidance for Completing the SPS Call for Information
The CFI closes on 23 April so you have just under two weeks to complete the online form.
Submit your resonse online via Defra UK-EU SPS Agreement – Call for Information
Thank you for taking the time to complete a submission on behalf of your business. Two hours is a small price to pay if we can get to a revised SPS agreement with the EU which delivers pre-Brexit movements.