The microchip will be matched to each horse's mandatory passport, the European Commission says.

The commission says it will create a better and clearer identification system and help improve the health of horses and other other equidae, who are also required to have passports and be microchipped.

Passports must be obtained within six months of birth and the chip will be injected in each horse's neck when the passport is issued.

The proposal modernises the identification system of the equidae, currently recognised in the EU through a hand-drawn outline diagram.

"The current system of identifying horses is outdated," said EU health commissioner Androulla Vassiliou.

"It needs to be adapted to the new identification technologies. The regulation adopted by the commission addresses this issue. It creates a better identification system that in the end will help us fight possible animal diseases."

The electronic microchip, which can read by a scanner, will be recorded in a database under a unique life number for the animal that will remain the constant reference even if its name is changed.

The commission says identification is not only required for animal health reasons, but to ensure compliance with certain public health requirements for horses that may be slaughtered for human consumption.

The regulation provides for a standardised format to exclude a horse from the food chain if certain medical treatments are used, or to suspend its slaughter for human consumption for six months if treatment was carried out with a particular set of listed medications.

Horses sent to slaughter will only be accepted if accompanied by their passport.

The regulations allow member states to adopt smart cards instead of paper passports for national movements.

Horses travelling to the EU do not need microchipping unless they are staying.