Post-brexit delays to equine reproduction

As equine professionals, it is important to ask ourselves whether we are working at a competitive disadvantage? The UK's exit from the European Union (EU) was always going to be a double-edged sword, requiring a lot of patience and working out the kinks. Nevertheless, we have found ourselves struggling with the import and export of germplasm, which is affecting our ability to operate on the same level as our European colleagues, subsequently putting the UK at a competitive disadvantage. Those importing chilled semen from mainland Europe will no doubt have experienced the delivery being held in customs or missing its connecting delivery driver pickup. This is an expensive exercise for UK horse breeders, with estimated costs in the region of £750–1000 for every dose of semen not making its delivery day. Although the cycle can sometimes be rescued by the last-minute provision of a frozen semen alternative, this may require same-day delivery, costing in the region of £300–600, and may not result in a successful outcome. Regardless of the courier company or country of origin, these issues persist. An analysis of data is needed to determine how many doses of semen have failed to be delivered, but I personally would suggest that these failures are now at unacceptable levels and we must ask, how can these problems be worked out?