To help ease the current health certificate restrictions on moving horses out of state for fairs, exhibitions and trail rides, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture recently approved our state's participation in a voluntary regional "passport" program. In the past, most states required horses to have a current health certificate (Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) and a current negative EIA test (Coggins test) prior to entry. Health certificates are only valid for 30 days. Under this new program, a horse owner has the option to obtain an interstate movement permit, or “passport,” that for travel among participating states is equivalent to a health certificate, but is valid for 6 months. While the identification requirements are more restrictive, the permit allows horse owners to move among participating states without the need for obtaining a new health certificate every 30 days. Participating states include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and West Virginia. Kentucky and Virginia have indicated their intent to join the program in future. Some states do place added restrictions associated with use of the permit; horse owners traveling to those states are responsible for compliance with those additional restrictions. Most states have agreed to “a common set of rules” that enable the program to operate most effectively.
Permit applications must be submitted through an accredited veterinarian. Horse owners in Tennessee interested in obtaining a permit may complete an application and return it to their veterinarian along with a copy of an original health certificate (Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) and a current Equine Infectious Anemia test result. In many instances, the veterinarian can forward the application along with his copies of the health certificate and a Coggins test report if the permit application is being made at the time the health certificate is issued. Upon receipt, the department will issue an Interstate Movement Permit that is valid for 6 months from the date the health certificate was issued. Recognized forms of animal identification include a unique identifier lip tattoo, a unique brand, electronic implant or a digital photograph submitted in low resolution “jpeg” format. Horse owners are also responsible for keeping an itinerary listing those events in which the horse participates.
Participation is strictly voluntary provided the owner is compliant with the terms of the agreement between the state animal health regulatory agencies. Application and itinerary forms are available on the left of this webpage under "At This Site".
