The Horses (Zootechnical Standards) (England) Regulations 2006

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, which apply in England only, implement Commission Decision 92/353/EEC (OJ No. L 192, 11.07.1992, p. 63) and Commission Decision 96/78/EC (OJ No. L 19, 25.01.1996, p. 39). They revoke and replace The Horses (Zootechnical Standards) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/3045).

These Regulations specify the criteria which an organisation or association must satisfy in order to become recognised by the Secretary of State for the purpose of maintaining a stud book (regulation 3(1) and the Schedule to these Regulations). Any organisation or association which satisfies these criteria must be granted official recognition (regulation 3(2)).

Regulation 4 sets out the circumstances in which the Secretary of State must and may refuse to grant recognition to, or withdraw recognition from, an organisation or association. Any such refusal or withdrawal must be communicated to the organisation in writing.

Regulation 5 allows a person to make representations to the Secretary of State where recognition has been refused or withdrawn under regulation 4.

Regulation 6 permits a recognised organisation to divide the main section of its stud book into different classes according to the horses' merits, but prohibits it from doing so for other purposes.

Regulation 7 specifies the circumstances in which a recognised organisation must enter a horse in the main section of its stud book.

A recognised organisation is permitted to enter a horse in a supplementary section of its stud book where that horse meets certain minimum criteria (regulation 8); to enter a horse in the main section of its stud book to take part in a cross-breeding programme (regulation 9); and to enter a horse registered in another stud book in the main section of its own stud book (regulation 10).

A regulatory impact assessment has not been prepared for these Regulations on the grounds that they do not impose significant burdens on existing organisations, or require such organisations to alter their existing procedures to a significant extent.