HORSE owners have been given more time to obtain the new equine passport for their animals.

Although they must still apply for a passport by June 30, restrictions on horses without the new documentation will not now come into force until February 28, 2005.

The final regulations setting out the requirements for horse owners under the new scheme were laid before Parliament last week by Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael.

June 30 was the original cut-off date for obtaining a passport.

From February 28, 2005, a passport must be presented whenever an equine moves premises, enters competition, is used for breeding, leaves the United Kingdom, is sold, or is presented for slaughter.

All passports will include a section to record the date certain veterinary medicines were administered to the horse. This section must be completed if the declaration on whether the horse is intended for human consumption has been signed, or if no declaration on intention has been made.

The changes were welcomed by the International League for the Protection of Horses.

John Smales, the charity's chief executive, said: "We are thrilled that Defra has listened to our concerns on the issue of when the declaration about human consumption should be made, and has changed the legislation in a way that addresses our real concerns."