AIMS Chip Checker and Changes of Ownership Information

If there are any queries on the below legislation operators can contact DAFM on horseid@agriculture.gov.ie

Relevant forms and legislation are linked below

1. Trader Notice issued to all Transporters by DAFM in September 2024 and updated in Feb 2025.  – this is the requirement that all equines must be on the central equine database prior to export.  The transporter must provide proof of this by submitting a screen shot of the Equine Chip checker.
2. SI No. 201 of 2016 – Equidae (Change of ownership ) Regulations 2016
3. SI No 254 of 2023 – European Union (Animal Identification and Tracing) Regulations 2023
4. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035
5. Application form for Equidae Transfer of Ownership form

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DAFM Equine Chip Checker – https://equine-chipcheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/

The Chip checker is a front-end access point to the DAFM Central Equine Database.

You can search by U.E.L.N. (Unique Equine Life Number i.e. Passport number) or by Microchip

Weatherbys is an approved a P.I.O. (Passport Issuing Organisation) and submits Thoroughbred details to the DAFM central equine Database so that they will appear on the Chip checker.

If the horse is on the equine chip checker it will show the animals basic details.

If the horse is not on the chip checker it will give and error.  In this case it will be necessary to contact Weatherbys to enable submission of the horse to DAFM.

• Irish Born Thoroughbreds

Thoroughbreds born in Ireland are sent automatically by Weatherbys to the DAFM central equine database when the initial registration has been completed. Therefore,  horses with an IRE suffix will show on the DAFM chip Checker but please note that keeper details, food chain status should be updated regularly with Weatherbys.  Also, an ownership registration should be submitted within 30 days if you purchase a horse in line with SI 201 of 2016.

(This legislation states that if an equine is acquired a change of ownership should be submitted to the P.I.O. within 30 days. See attached S.I. Pdf )

• Foreign imports (includes GB imports)

If a horse has a foreign suffix (i.e. anything other than IRE) it will not be submitted to the DAFM Central Equine Database until an ownership registration has been lodged.

Any imported equine that is habitually resident in an equine establishment more than 30 days must be recorded on the AIM database (as per article 64 of Commission delegated regulation 2019/2035)

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Change of ownership

All ownership registrations should be notified by the operator/keeper within 30 days of acquiring a horse.  If the ownership registration is completed in a timely manner then it will alleviate any issues when the horse needs to travel outside of Ireland as well as ensuring compliance with the legislation.

For Weatherbys to process the change of ownership the following requirements must be satisfied:

1. The relevant Stud Book import must be in place.  i.e. Stud Book Export certificate or a Valid temporary import must have been sent to Weatherbys by the Stud Book in the country of origin
2. The physical passport must be presented to Weatherbys for update.
3. An application for Change of ownership must be submitted.  You can apply online at www.weatherbysgsb.ie or you can complete a paper application form (form attached)
4. The Irish Keeper /Operator must have a valid equine premises number.  If the premises number is not valid for equines the application cannot be processed
5. The processing fee is €22

Note:  The food chain status will be updated at time of submission of the passport only if the passport is stamped out of the food chain by a VET on the medicinal pages.  (Under SI 254 of 2023, an operator or keeper cannot legally remove an equine from the food chain by themselves in the identification document or passport. The removal from the food chain—such as declaring the horse “Not For Human Consumption”—can only be done by the administering veterinary practitioner after treatment with prescribed drugs that prohibit the horse from entering the food chain. This declaration is permanent and must be recorded in the equine passport by the veterinarian, not by the keeper or operator. Therefore, while the keeper is responsible for presenting the passport for updates and ensuring compliance, only a veterinarian has the legal authority to officially remove an equine from the food chain in the identification documentation under DAFM rules in Ireland.)

Note:  The files go overnight from Weatherbys to DAFM to appear the next day on the Equine Chip checker.   You must allow Weatherbys sufficient time to process the registration applications.

Updating the food Chain Status

The Food Chain Status of the horse on the DAFM Equine Chip Checker should match the physical passport.

• If the horse is not stamped out of the food chain no update is required.
• If the horse is stamped out of the food chain on the passport but the Food Chain Status is incorrect on the chip checker then you can submit the update to Weatherbys by sending a copy of the passport by email with the front page and the relevant Medicinal pages where the VET has stamped the passport out after treatment with prescribed drugs that prohibit the horse from entering the food chain.

Exporting out of Ireland

Under the new DAFM regulations the shipper/transporter is required to check that each horse is on the Equine Chip Checker and submit a screen shot with the export application.

All Keepers/operators should ensure that all horses in their care and control are on the DAFM Equine Chip checker with the correct food chain status well in advance of travelling their horse out of Ireland.

Also, if a horse is attending public auction, it is the responsibility of the operator/keeper to ensure the horse is on the Chip checker well in advance of the sale.  If the horse is sold to travel out of Ireland, then the purchaser will be unable to travel the horse if it is not on the DAFM database.

The exceptions to the regulations are:

• For equines imported for sales, racing, competition or training and leaves on or before 90 days.
• for male equine animals for breeding kept during the breeding season.
• for female equine animals for breeding kept for a period not exceeding 90 days

If one of the above exceptions apply, then the shipper/transporter must provide supporting documentation e.g., copy of an import or intra EU certificate or a DOCOM.

A copy of the supporting documentation must be included in the email sent to the Department as part of the export notification request.

Breeding Mares that exceed 90 Days

If a mare is boarding over 90 days they must be registered on the DAFM Central Database.

It will be necessary to lodge the Equidae ownership with the passport and the registration fee of €22 to Weatherbys.  This is an endorsement of the horse onto the Weatherbys system. As we do not have access to ownership data in other Stud Books the ownership has to be recorded on the Weatherbys system to upload the horse to DAFM.