Rules for importing horses

Importing horses requires permit from Minister of Agriculture

The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) issued new regulations for the importation of horses.

The decision stated that the import of horses requires a license issued by the Directorate of Animal Resources at the MoA and signed by the relevant Minister.

The applicant for the license should submit a request form along with a certificate proving that the animal has been vaccinated against the influenza virus in horses.

The application must also be accompanied by the results of veterinary tests for frequent horse diseases. The results must be issued by a laboratory recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) in the country of origin.

The countries that are proven to be free of these diseases are an exception to this measure as long as it is stated in the veterinary certificate.

The decision also prohibits the import of horses from countries which the OIE has labeled as infected with contagious horse diseases.

The decision has been effective since its issuance in December 2011.