THE government has welcomed the cross-border alignment of equine traceability rules.

Equine operators in Ireland have been required to quote an equine premises registration number (EPRN) when applying for an equine passport since 2020.

From 1 February 2026, this requirement now also applies to operators in Northern Ireland. Applicants for equine passports resident in Northern Ireland will need to provide an Equine Establishment Number (EEN).

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon welcomed the move as did his Northern Ireland counterpart Andrew Muir MLA.

Ministers Heydon and Muir highlighted the importance of regulatory alignment between their jurisdictions if robust equine traceability is to be achieved.

Minister Heydon welcomed the initiative in the context of the all-island nature of the Irish equine sector.

‘The Irish horse industry in Ireland and Northern Ireland is closely integrated through trade, breeding and competition with frequent cross-border movement for racing, sales, training and veterinary care,’ he noted.

‘The sector benefits from this all-island approach and it is appropriate that the approach extends to traceability requirements. Minister Muir and I look forward to working together to support the equine sector.’

Minister Muir stated that making Equine Establishment Numbers for equine keepers in Northern Ireland a mandatory requirement is a significant milestone in Northern Ireland’s equine traceability journey.

‘Strong traceability is needed to protect the future of our equine sector, and this cannot be achieved without North-South co-operation,’ he said.

Both Ministers emphasised the importance of continued co-operation between both governments to address ‘shared challenges’.