AS the reality of Brexit kicks in, it’s already becoming apparent that reams of red tape combined with customs bureaucracy is shaping up to have ramifications for the equine industry hauling horses via the UK landbridge.

Well-known Irish equine transport company Seale Transport, operated by Laois and Swedish-based Roy and Deirdre Seale, carried out what they described as a reconnaissance trip from mainland Europe and through the UK. After it, the company, which specialises in transport to and from Sweden, now views direct routes from Ireland to France as the only option for them with horses.

Red tape and customs requirements at every overseas port was encountered on the journey while there was just one exit point from Dover to Calais (for trucks under 7.5 tonnes) with the French Border Control Post (BCP) only open from 8am to 6pm with appointments 48 hours in advance. Processing just three horses per hour at Calais with six “paltry and inadequate stables”, Roy Seale’s view was that this would “cripple the flow of horses” for both the thoroughbred and leisure horse sectors.

Seale Transport's articulated equine transporter

Disrupting trade

Deirdre Seale told The Irish Field: “Roy carried out a run from Sweden to Ireland with transit back to the UK with an empty load so we could see what it would be like. We had to get a customs declaration even though we had no load from the European side.

“We had our EORI number but UK customs brokers took days to get back to us. The Hook of Holland was carnage with the police there. You had to have customs clearance or you were turned back. The boat was only half full but he could not get on it. When Roy got into Dublin Port, he was in the green zone and not delayed. Dublin Port was far more organised than the other ports on his journey.

“Thankfully with our long haul trucks, Seale Transport have the option of going directly from Ireland to France and leaving out the UK. Calais is only processing three horses per hour. Throughout the whole of Europe, Roy said that Ireland is the best prepared.

“However, my heart breaks for Irish-UK hauliers and all the trade, in horses and other trade, that has gone on so well between Ireland and Britain over all the years to the benefit of both sides. The customs brokers are making a killing and it is hard to even get a UK customs broker in the first place.

“In terms of transporting horses, we are fine at Seale Transport, it’s business as usual for us. We are motoring away and will go from Rosslare to Cherbourg. We have a load of horses going out next Thursday. We are taking less horses per truck to give them more room on the longer sea journeys and we have stables to rest the horses shortly after the boat. We also have easy access hatches to each horse on board.

“The owners don’t mind paying a bit extra for more room for their horses on a longer journey but it’s increased costs all round. For example, the UK customs agent has to be paid £150 for three horses and then £5 per horse after that and it’s the same with the Dutch agents and so on down the line, it’s extra costs and paperwork at every turn.

“I cannot stop thinking about all of the people who traded easily with the UK, it’s all gone. It’s a kneecap to the industry. How are Irish horses going to get to Cheltenham and back? And whatever about the racing lads, what about the leisure side, would they have the admin to do everything that is required now – how is this going to pan out?” questioned Seale.