It has today been announced that the European Commission has accepted a request from the UK Government for an extension of the Article 50 process to 31 January 2020, or earlier if a deal is formally agreed and ratified by Parliament and the EU in advance of that date. The EU has not yet given any further details.

This means that the UK remains a Member State of the European Union and that existing arrangements will continue until the next deadline of January 31 2020 or until the UK leaves the EU before that date with a deal. The UK political environment remains uncertain with the UK leaving the EU with no-deal remaining one potential outcome on January 31 2020.

In the event that a deal is agreed and ratified between the UK and the EU, it is our expectation that the current arrangements for movement of thoroughbreds will continue during the subsequent ‘transition’ period, scheduled to conclude on 31 December 2020 but which itself may be extended.

However, as the final outcome of this process still remains uncertain. The Brexit Steering Group therefore advises that participants in the British Racing and Breeding industries continue to prepare for the possibility of a potential No Deal Brexit on 31 January 2020. Significant guidance regarding planning for all Brexit scenarios is available on the BHA’s website.

Questions

Should you have any further questions regarding how you might be affected by Brexit, or preparations which you should undertake, a dedicated email address has been established. Please send your queries to [email protected].

Further communications will be issued in due course as appropriate.