What must one have to import any equine animal into the Commonwealth?

To import any equine animal into the Commonwealth, it is essential to have a certificate from a USDA approved laboratory, as this ensures that the animal has been tested and deemed free of certain diseases that could pose a threat to both local livestock and public health. This laboratory certification is a critical part of safeguarding the state’s agricultural integrity and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

The health certificate from a vet, while necessary for many health checks and protocols, is not specifically required for every equine importation as dictated by the Commonwealth’s import regulations. Similarly, while a certificate of ownership may be useful for verifying the provenance of the animal, it does not directly pertain to the health status required for import. A letter of import may be relevant in some cases, but it does not carry the weight of the certification from a USDA approved laboratory, which is a more stringent and universally accepted requirement for ensuring the health of imported animals.