THE Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, Andrew Muir, has announced the mandatory registration of equine establishments before February 1st, 2026.

From that date, all Passport Issuing Organisations (PIOs) authorised by DAERA will require a valid Equine Establishment Number (EEN) to be provided when an application is made for a passport, a passport update (such as change of ownership), or a duplicate or replacement passport in the event of lost, stolen or damaged passports. Keepers may be unable to buy, sell, move or export an equine without a valid, up to date passport.