HORSE PASSPORTS ( ENGLAND ) REGULATIONS 2009 From the 1st July 2009 veterinary surgeons will have new responsibilities regarding the identification of horses under European legislation.  There are a number of new requirements which will supersede the 2004 Horse Passport Regulations.  These will include the following:- 1.    Foals born after 1st July 2009 must be microchipped when first identified.  This must be done before the 31st December in the year of its birth, or by six months after its birth whichever is later.  Insertion of a microchip is an act of veterinary surgery and can only be carried out by a registered veterinary surgeon. 2.    Older horses born before the 30th June 2009 that have not yet been issued with a passport must also be microchipped when identified for the first time. 3.    Before inserting a microchip, the veterinary surgeon must check for a previously implanted microchip.  It is now an offence if a veterinary surgeon fails to do this. 4.    New offences have been introduced regardin ...