Senasa mandates microchip identification for equines and strengthens controls for international trade

The National Service of Health and Quality of Agro-Food (Senasa) has established a new mandatory framework for individual electronic identification, health registration, and movement of equines throughout the country, aimed at ensuring traceability, animal health, and disease prevention.

Resolution 831/2026, published today in the Official Gazette, stipulates that starting March 1, 2027, individual identification of equines using an injectable transponder or microchip will be mandatory. The responsibility for its proper implementation will fall on the owners, holders, or keepers of the animals.

Identification must be carried out during certain health procedures, including sample collection for mandatory diagnostics related to movements, registration of the Equine Health Booklet or Equine Passport, certain veterinary treatments, and international movements.

The regulation also establishes that the microchip must be implanted in the middle third of the left side of the animal's neck and that its number must be registered in Senasa's health information system. The procedure can be carried out through approved digital applications, self-management with a tax key, or in person at the agency's offices.

Additionally, Senasa approved the Digital Equine Health Booklet (LSED) as the official health document for equines throughout Argentina. The document will be generated, validated, and coded through the agency's health information system and can be managed directly or through approved digital applications.

Regarding the Equine Passport, documents recognized by Senasa must be digitized and incorporated into the health information system. The physical version will continue to be valid to accompany the animal during its movements as long as it is previously digitized and valid in the system.

The resolution also establishes a transition period to phase out paper documentation. Equine Health Booklets issued in physical format will retain their validity until December 31, 2027, while from January 1, 2028, the LSED or the digitally registered Equine Passport will be the valid health documents to support the movements of equines.

Meanwhile, as of December 31, 2026, new Equine Health Booklets in paper format will not be printed. For Equine Passports, digitization and incorporation into Senasa's system will be mandatory starting January 1, 2028.

The regulation maintains the mandatory use of the electronic Transit Document (DT-e) for certain movements, including those intended for the supply circuit of equines for export slaughter, entry into the Free Zone of Equine Infectious Anemia, and certain operations related to exports and imports.

Senasa may also temporarily block the movements of equines using the Digital Equine Health Booklet upon detection of contagious diseases or health concerns. Additionally, it may preventively suspend the use of the LSED as a substitute for the DT-e depending on health or epidemiological circumstances.

The resolution also establishes the obligations of producers regarding changes of ownership, theft, deaths, and other health updates, which must be communicated immediately to the agency through digital applications, self-management, or in person.

Finally, the regulation contemplates sanctions for non-compliance related to identification, registration, documentation, and transportation of animals. The resolution comes into effect from its publication in the Official Gazette.