MSPs from all political parties urged to support an improved equine ID system 

Together with The British Horse Society and Horsescotland, we exhibited at the Scottish Parliament to highlight the importance of equine identification to the health and welfare of Scottish horses. 

We used the opportunity to urge MSPs to support an improved digitalised and enforceable equine ID system to ensure all horses are identifiable and traceable. 

The move from the current paper-based system, which is open to fraud, to a digital service will ensure frictionless trade and movement of equines across borders for those moving their equines compliantly and disrupt the trade in smuggled horses. 

These improvements will mean that real-time updates can be made to individual records, enabling horses, ponies and donkeys to be traced quickly and effectively – crucial in the event of a disease outbreak, when they stray or in instances of theft and ownership disputes. 

Over the course of three days, we spoke to 56 MSPs with the stand sponsored by Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland. 

With a consultation on the digitalisation of cattle identification and traceability currently being undertaken in Scotland, the Scottish equine sector is calling on the Scottish Government to follow suit for horses, ponies and donkeys.