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Horses: Import Controls

Asked by Stuart AndersonConservativeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 26 February 2026UIN 113839

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has plans for the Border Target Operating Model for equines to go live before a Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement is made with the EU.

Answered by Dame Angela Eagle

Following the UK-EU summit on 19 May 2025, the United Kingdom and Devolved Governments have decided to pause implementation of further controls on imports of EU and EFTA live animals, including equines. Compliance with existing Border Target Operating Model controls must continue until further notice because the UK’s biosecurity and public health must continue to be protected.

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