Identification
Horses must be identified before the age of 12 months, or if they leave the place of birth permanently within 12 months from the date of birth.
Correct identification implies that the horse is identified by a transponder and has a passport issued by an approved organisation. In addition, horses staying i Denmark permanently must be registered in the national Danish database. Contact SEGES, Heste for more information (info@seges.dk).
The passport must have medical pages inserted in such a way that the passport is indivisible and must always accompany the horse.
Information on issuing bodies in Denmark can be found here (in Danish)
Exclusion from consumption
Horses which have not been identified within the time limit will be excluded from human consumption.
A horse can also be excluded from human consumption if treated with certain medical drugs. When excluded due to medical treatment, the veterinarian and the owner must sign the medical page of the passport. Exclusion from consumption must be reported to the issuing body.
Exclusion is final and cannot be reversed.
Horses, which are excluded from human consumption, cannot be sent to slaughter.
Methods for identity verification
Hot branding is forbidden in Denmark, and Denmark has not authorized any alternative methods for identity verification.
Certain changes have to be reported
Changes regarding ownership, the identification of the horse, the status as intended for human consumption, or changes regarding the status as registered horse/horse for breeding and production must be reported to the issuing body or SEGES, Horses, within 7 days.
Exclusion from human consumption due to medical treatment has to be reported within 7 days of the day of treatment.
Death of the horse
When the horse dies other than by slaughter, or the horse disappears, the owner must return the passport to the issuing body or to SEGES, Horses, within 30 days. It is possible to have the passport returned when the death of the horse is registered in the database and the passport has been invalidated.
Horses being imported into Denmark
Within 30 days of the date of completion of the customs procedure, the owner of the horse must apply for an identification document or for registration of an existing identification document in the Danish national database. Applications should be sent to the appropriate issuing body or SEGES, Horses.
The Danish contact point is:
SEGES, Horses
Agro Food Park 15
Skejby
8200 Aarhus N
Rules and regulations
Animal Health Law, Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/963
Danish Statutory Legislation Order no. 804 of June 22, 2017, on identification of equidae
