An Export Health Certificate (EHC) is a document issued by the APHA (part of the UK government) and certified (approved and signed) by an Official Veterinarian (OV). A Veterinary Surgeon must undertake additional training to become an OV. Therefore, it is best to check, well in advance of your trip, whether the vet you are planning on using is an OV.
EHCs are required for all animals, and many other products, to enter a foreign country. They confirm to the destination country that the animal entering the country is free of infectious disease and is fit to travel.
EHCs are different depending on the country that your horse is travelling too. Each EHC has different requirements, and this is the reason that your horse may well need bloods, swabs, vaccinations and sometimes isolation prior to travel.
Some countries require additional tests that are not needed for the EHC. There can be a couple of reasons or this:
- for the import permit to be issued
- complimentary testing eg for the USA (we perform complimentary blood testing prior to travel because these blood tests will be performed during the horse’s time in quarantine, and it is better to know before the horse travels, if it is going to unexpectedly test positive and be unable to be released from quarantine
It is best to discuss your trip with the OV you are going to use as early as possible and they can advise you about what testing is needed and about any other requirements. Please feel free to give EVES a call on 07771 815845 or email us at beth@equineexports.co.uk for more information or see our What We Do page (What We Do – Equine Veterinary Export Services | Sussex – Surrey – Kent – London | 07771 815845) for more information.
Full details of the requirements for each country can be found on the government website – Find an export health certificate – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).