From July 1st 2009, the identification system for equidae will change according to the new rules and regulations implemented by the European Commission.

The European Commission has adopted a Regulation that will help improve the health of horses, donkeys and other members of the "equine" family, as it creates a better and clearer identification system. All equidae will now have to acquire their individual passports within six months after their birth. At the same time, when the passport is issued, the animal will be microchipped. The number of the microchip will be recorded in the passport.

The aim of the new Regulation is to improve the system for the identification of equidae that has been in place since 1993 and amended in 2000. The new system will build on a single identification document –one passport– issued for lifetime when the animal is born or imported. The document will be linked to the animal by microchip, and the fact it was issued will be recorded in a database under a unique life number for the animal that will remain the constant reference even when its name is changed.

Identification is not only required for animal health reasons, but also to ensure compliance with certain public health requirements, because equidae may be slaughtered for human consumption. The Regulation provides for a standardised format to exclude an equine animal from the food chain if a certain medicinal treatment was applied or to suspend its slaughter for human consumption for 6 months if treatment was carried out with a particular set of listed medicaments.