Brexit – Information for Employers and Grooms in the Equine Industry
As an international recruitment agency, we place many British Grooms in jobs within the EU, and many EU citizens into jobs within the UK, so… what about information for Employers and Grooms in the equine industry? We know the uncertainty surrounding Brexit is a concern for many equine workers and employers, so we have picked out the most relevant, up to date information from UK Government sources and we have attempted to demystify some of the key elements which are relevant to the people we talk with daily.
The purpose of this article is not to discuss the suitability of any arrangements, or even Brexit itself, but purely to help equine employers and employees find their way through mountains of important information to find the answers to the most common questions about what to expect.
As things stand now
At the time of updating this article (29th January 2020), the British Government assures us that they have reached an agreement between Great Britain and the EU on Great Britain’s withdrawal from the EU – the Great Britain is leaving the EU on 31st January 2020 at 11pm.
We have previously published information that was relevant according to the originally anticipated deadline on 31st March 2019. We have now updated this information to reflect current matters, as we approach the new Brexit date.
What you need to know
There are 3 important phrases you will hear regarding Brexit:
- the Withdrawal Agreement
- the Transition Period
- a No-Deal Brexit
In this article we will pull together key information for employers and grooms in the equine industry:
- British equine workers living in and working with horses in other EU countries (referred to as “EU Member States”)
- EU citizens living in and working with horses in Great Britain/the UK
- Taking pets to and from EU countries
- Travelling horses to and from EU countries
A simple explanation of “the Withdrawal Agreement”
The Withdrawal Agreement is the term used for the mutual agreement (the deal) between the UK and the European Union on the terms under which the UK will be removed as an EU Member State. This only applies to the period between 11pm 31st January 2020 and 31st January 2021. Great Britain will no longer be an EU Member State but will still operate under EU laws. The Withdrawal Agreement doesn’t constitute a “Trade Deal”, which is yet to be negotiated, it is purely the terms under which Great Britain will operate in association with the EU for the next 12 months. This includes factors which will affect the equine industry, such as:
- British equine workers in EU countries
- Equine workers from EU countries working in the UK
- Taking pets to and from the EU when you start or leave job
- Travelling horses between the UK and other EU countries, when you start or leave a job, or as part of your job
A Withdrawal Agreement has always been the favoured arrangement for leaving the EU, as opposed to a “no-deal Brexit”. Now it is agreed, the Withdrawal Agreement will be implemented between the 31st January 2020 and the 31st December 2020. This is the period in time in which the current rules on trade, travel, and business for the UK and EU will continue to apply, allowing individuals and businesses to prepare for 2021 when Great Britain fully leaves the EU.
This period in time has previously been referred to as “the Implementation Period”, but now the UK Government is officially referring to it as the “Transition Period“.
The meaning of a “No-Deal Brexit”
A No-Deal Brexit has referred to Great Britain withdrawing from the EU without a Withdrawal Agreement in place. A Withdrawal Agreement is now in place, however, trade deals are yet to be discussed with the EU. We will update details regarding any trade deals as they are confirmed.
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UK Citizens already living and working in EU Countries
Freedom of Movement will continue to apply throughout the Transition Period. This means that UK citizens who are lawfully resident in EU member states are broadly guaranteed the same rights as they’ve had until 31st January 2020. Source here.
The Withdrawal Agreement: UK citizens’ rights
The UK Government has negotiated with the EU that UK Grooms lawfully living and working in an EU country:
- will continue to have broadly the same access to healthcare, pensions and other benefits as they currently do
- will be able to leave their EU country of residence for up to 5 years without losing their right to return, if they have acquired the relevant residency status (more on this below)
- close family members (spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, dependent children and grandchildren, and dependent parents and grandparents) will be able to join them, even after the end of the Transition Period, on the basis of current EU rules. All family members lawfully resident with an EU citizen at the end of the Transition Period will also be protected.
- their children, born or adopted, will be covered by the agreement if they are outside their EU country of residence until and after 31 December 2020
UK Grooms and their families covered by the Agreement should note that:
- Individual EU countries may require a Groom as a UK national, and their family members covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, to apply for a residency document or status conferring the right of residence
- residence documents will be issued free of charge or for a charge (except for items usually chargeable, such as passports)
The Transition Period: Living in the EU after 31st January 2020
During the Transition Period (31st January 2020 to 31 December 2020), freedom of movement rights will continue to apply to UK nationals. This means that UK nationals will be able to live in an EU country.
Grooms who are legally resident in the EU by the end of the Transition Period (currently 31st December 2020), will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, and will be able to continue living in their EU country of residence, enjoying broadly the same rights to healthcare, benefits and pensions as at present.
During the Transition Period, UK nationals will enjoy the same rights to work in an EU Member State as before Brexit.
- if Grooms hold, before the end of the Transition Period, a valid permanent residence document or a valid domestic immigration document conferring a permanent right to reside, they will be able to exchange it for a new residence document free of charge. Individuals may need to provide proof of identity and undergo criminality and security checks.
- new procedures or changes to existing procedures will be decided by each individual EU country. The Government will publish details of these procedures in their Living in country guides as soon as it becomes available.
Grooms who are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement: After the end of the Transition Period, future arrangements will be determined by the negotiations on the UK-EU future partnership.
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EU Citizens already living and working in the UK
As a full member of the EU, all EU citizens have been free to work in the UK under the EU’s Freedom of Movement Act.
Free movement of workers is a fundamental principle of the EU. Citizens of EU Member States have been entitled to:
- look for a job in in the UK
- work in the UK without needing a work permit
- live in the UK for that purpose
- stay in the UK even after employment has finished
- enjoy equal treatment with UK nationals in access to employment, working conditions and all other social and tax advantages
The Withdrawal Agreement: Agreements on EU citizens’ rights
The UK government has reached an agreement with the EU that will protect the rights of EU citizens and their family members living in the UK. It has also reached an agreement with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, and a separate agreement with Switzerland.
These agreements mean that most citizens from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland will need to apply to stay in the UK. They can then continue living their lives here as they do now. More on this below.
The Transition Period: Living in the UK after 31st January 2020
The new UK immigration system will be implemented from 1 January 2021 as planned, plus there will be a 6 month “grace period” for EU citizen’s living in the UK beyond the planned Transition Period, to allow EU citizens to apply to stay in the UK. For ease, here are the basics that you need to be aware of…
Grooms who are currently living and working in the UK under Freedom of Movement
You’ll need to apply to stay in the UK before the end of the “Grace Period” (30 June 2021) to continue living in the UK. You’ll be able to continue living in the UK if you:
- Successfully apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. You’ll get settled or pre-settled status if you’re successful. The scheme has been open fully since 30 March 2019 – find out more by clicking here.
- Successfully apply for British citizenship. You can apply for British citizenship if you’re eligible for it after you’ve got settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Find out more by clicking here.
- If you want to apply for British citizenship before you’ve got settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll need a permanent residence document. Find out more by clicking here.
There will be no automatic deportation of EU citizens who haven’t applied for Settled Status by 31st January 2020. You must, however, apply for Pre-Settled Status or Settled Status by 30 June 2021. Read more about this here.
EU Grooms who have a UK Permanent Residence Document
You’ll need to apply to stay in the UK before before the end of the “Grace Period” (30 June 2021) to continue living in the UK. You’ll be able to continue living in the UK if you:
- Successfully apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. You’ll get settled or pre-settled status if you’re successful. The scheme will open fully by 30 March 2019 – find out more by clicking here.
- Successfully apply for British citizenship. You can apply for British citizenship if you’re eligible for it after you’ve got settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Find out more by clicking here.
- If you want to apply for British citizenship before you’ve got settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll need a permanent residence document. Find out more by clicking here.
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Travelling pets to and from the EU after Brexit
This is key information for employers and grooms in the equine industry, as many equine workers take pets, particularly dogs, with them.
The core purpose of the Withdrawal Agreement is to avoid disruption to such activities as travelling pets to and from EU countries. Again, to put it in a nutshell, here are the key details…
UK Grooms taking pets to and from the EU after a no-deal Brexit
UK Grooms taking pets to and from the EU after a no-deal BrexitDuring the Transition Period:
You can travel with your pet to the EU under the current pet travel rules using your current UK-issued EU pet passport.
If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time you’ll have to visit your vet to get a pet passport. You should contact your vet at least 4 months before you plan on travelling to any EU country with your pets. More information on the documents that would be required to enter or re-enter the UK will be made available for pet owners on the Government website.
After the Transition Period
After 31st January 2021 the UK will become a third country from 1 January 2021. Third countries can apply to the European Commission to be listed.
In the EU Pet Travel Scheme, there are 3 categorisations of third country:
- unlisted
- Part 1 listed
- Part 2 listed
Pet travel requirements will change depending on what category the UK becomes on 1 January 2021. This information will be available once negotiations have concluded an agreement has been reached.
EU Grooms taking pets to and from the UK after Brexit
You can enter or return to the UK with your pet cat, dog or ferret if it:
- has been microchipped
- has a pet passport or third-country official veterinary certificate
- has been vaccinated against rabies – it will also need a blood test if you’re travelling from an ‘unlisted country’
Dogs must also usually have a tapeworm treatment.
Your pet may be put into quarantine for up to 4 months if you do not follow these rules – or refused entry if you travelled by sea. You’re responsible for any fees or charges.
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Travelling horses to and from the EU after Brexit
Needless to say, this is very important information for employers and grooms in the equine industry! Not only to many grooms travel their horses overseas to their place of work, but travelling horses between the UK and EU countries will be a key part of many groom’s jobs.
Throughout the Transition Period import and export rules will remain the same. After 31st January 2021 when the Transition Period ends there will be new proceedures to follow. Here are the key details…
Bringing horses from EU countries into the UK
Bringing horses from EU countries into the UKFrom 1 January 2021, the rules for importing equines from the EU to the UK will not change straightaway, although there will be a new system to notify the UK authorities.
Travelling horses from the UK into EU countries
Equine ID (passports), issued by industry, would continue to be used in the UK, as they contain information relating to identification and veterinary procedures undertaken that could help to maintain a robust national equine health and traceability regime.
These industry-issued passports would continue to be valid for EU travel for horses registered either on a studbook or pedigree register; or with a national branch of an international organisation for racing or competition.
All other horses and equines travelling from the UK to the EU would have to travel with a new government-issued ID document which is expected to contain very similar information to that in existing passports. This is a requirement of the EU in relation to movements from third countries.
Read all the details in full by clicking here.
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Staying up to date
Sources and further reading
At the time of writing this article an agreement on the UK leaving the European Union has not been fully finalised, and some plans may remain subject to change. All information detailed here is correct as of the time of publishing (January 2020). For ease and convenience, we have summarised key information but, as developments are made, it is advisable that you always obtain information from official sources so you are working from fact. Please make use of the following links to find up to date information regarding the matters addressed within this article.
UK Government Guidance on Brexit:
Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration – click here.
Important EU Exit information for UK nationals if there’s no deal – click here.
Citizens’ Rights – EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals in the EU, Policy Paper – click here.
Travelling horses to and from the EU after Brexit – click here.
Travelling pets to and from the EU after Brexit – click here.
Prepare your business for the UK leaving the EU – click here.
European Commission Guidance on Brexit:
EU citizens’ rights and Brexit – click here.
