In response to a threat several years ago that horses in England might not be allowed to use many currently available medications because of the potential of having unauthorized medications reach the human food chain through exported horsemeat, all owners of equids in England must have a passport for their animals. These passports will declare whether the animal is a potential human food product, and that declaration cannot be changed.

Horse owners must apply for passports by Dec. 31, 2003, for all horses, ponies, other equids such as donkeys, and crossbreds, or face prosecution for not following legislation that was announced on Feb. 14, 2002, according to the United Kingdom’s Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Starting Jan. 1, 2004, it will be illegal to sell a horse without a passport. Penalties for not getting a passport for every equine can be up to £5,000 (approximately $8,360 US) or up to one month in prison