EFTBA

Who are we

The European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders’ Associations (EFTBA) was set up in 1994 to enable European breeders’ associations to be represented at a European level with a strong single voice.

EFTBA members are independent and autonomous bodies, representative of the Thoroughbred breeding industry within their countries. They represent major breeding nations as well as countries where the bloodstock industry is not developed at its full potential. All in all, they gather over 23,000 breeders. Combining member countries with such a variety of profiles operates as a booster and can raise the general quality of Thoroughbred breeding programmes in Europe.

Although all these countries are different on some aspects of their domestic policy, they share common objectives. The EFTBA provides a single place for breeders to come together and discuss common policies. Thanks to its actions of lobbying, the EFTBA supports the breeders’ positions on issues specific to the EU, such as trade, taxation, employment legislation, sanitary policies, animal health regulation, identification and Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). One of its priorities is to help maintaining the recognition of the Horse breeding industry as an agricultural activity by European authorities.

Besides its activity with EU decision-makers, the EFTBA is also a platform to exchange updates regarding legislation, veterinary and scientific research or any new developments that can serve the Thoroughbred breeding industry. For example, common actions from EFTBA members have led to the implementation of Codes of practice in Europe and contribute to achieve standardisation of veterinary laboratories for equine tests throughout Europe. The EFTBA Veterinary Commission brings together veterinarians and scientific experts on various subjects providing all European Thoroughbred breeders with the latest information, challenges and threats facing the thoroughbred production. Finally, the EFTBA contributes to the expansion of the market for Thoroughbred horses in Europe and worldwide.

Acting together

By coming together, European thoroughbred breeding associations can provide a strong united voice at European Commission level on threats and concerns facing thoroughbred breeders.

Acting localy

By acting locally, EFTBA ensures it is aware of the challenges and opportunities, which thoroughbred breeders are experiencing at the proverbial stud farm gate.

Acting Nationally

By actioning nationally, EFTBA is well informed of thoroughbred breeding issues from country associations to country associations, which in turn allows the federation to take an overview.

Strengthening Breeding Across Europe

Breeder Representation

EFTBA members are independent and autonomous bodies, representative of the Thoroughbred breeding industry within their countries. They represent major breeding nations as well as countries where the bloodstock industry is not developed at its full potential. All in all, they gather over 23,000 breeders. Combining member countries with such a variety of profiles operates as a booster and can raise the general quality of Thoroughbred breeding programmes in Europe.

EFTBA

A Collective Voice in European Policy

Although all these countries are different on some aspects of their domestic policy, they share common objectives. The EFTBA provides a single place for breeders to come together and discuss common policies. Thanks to its lobbying actions, the EFTBA supports the breeders’ positions on issues specific to the EU, such as trade, taxation, employment legislation, sanitary policies, animal health regulation, identification and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). One of its priorities is to help maintain the recognition of the Horse breeding industry as an agricultural activity by European authorities.

Sharing Knowledge, Raising Standards

Besides its activity with EU decision-makers, the EFTBA is also a platform to exchange updates regarding legislation, veterinary and scientific research, or any new developments that can serve the Thoroughbred breeding industry. For example, common actions from EFTBA members have led to the implementation of Codes of Practice in Europe and contribute to the standardisation of veterinary laboratories for equine tests throughout Europe. The EFTBA Veterinary Commission brings together veterinarians and scientific experts on various subjects, providing all European Thoroughbred breeders with key information to support best breeding practices and methods.

EFTBA continues to combat against the serious threats facing Europe’s thoroughbred breeding industry, for our fellow breeders and their livelihoods, while ensuring equine wellness is at the centre of all our actions and decisions. Despite such challenges, we can rightly take pride in our industry, which for us all is a wonderful and rewarding way of life. It is in this vein we will continue to be the guardians of the thoroughbred and strive to make it current and respected in an everchanging world.

Joe Hernon - Chairman
Joe Hernon
Discover our missions

EFTBA in Numbers (2023)

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EFTBA Executive

EFTBA Member Joe HERNON (IE)

Chairman

EFTBA Member Kirsten RAUSING (UK)

Honorary President

EFTBA Member Frank DORFF (DE)

Vice-Chairman

EFTBA Member Nick ELSASS (DK)

Vice-Chairman

EFTBA Member Loic MALIVET (FR)

Treasurer

EFTBA Member Dr Des LEADON (IE)

Veterinary Consultant

EFTBA Member Kerry RYAN (IE)

Secretariat

Our members

Membre EFTBA DGVO

Austria

Membre EFTBA BTBA

Belgium

Membre EFTBA CROA

Cyprus

Membre EFTBA CATB

Czech Republic

Membre EFTBA DG

Denmark

Membre EFTBA FTBA

Finland

Membre EFTBA FEGALOP

France

Membre EFTBA BZVR

Germany

Membre EFTBA TBA

Great Britain

Membre EFTBA ATTOE

Hungary

Membre EFTBA ITBA

Ireland

Membre EFTBA ANAC

Italy

Membre EFTBA NFFF

Norway

Membre EFTBA PTBA

Poland

Membre EFTBA ACPSIE

Spain

Membre EFTBA SHA

Sweden

Membre EFTBA GS

Switzerland

Membre EFTBA TOBA

Turkey

Our story

Creation of the EFTBA, Guardian of the Thoroughbred :

EFTBA, the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders’ Associations, was set up in 1994 to enable European breeders’ associations to be represented at a European level with a strong single voice. Today, it welcomes countries currently outside of the European Union. It was constituted in France, where the official headquarters is based.

Onwards

EFTBA concentrated on gaining influence at EU Level, promoting and protecting the European Thoroughbred Breeding Industry as well as supporting Europe’s thoroughbred breeders.

EFTBA embarked on leading delegations to EU Commission at Brussels to raise the concerns of European thoroughbred breeders. These series of delegations have facilitated the forging of long lasting and respected relationships with the relevant bodies and working members of the EU Commission.

EFTBA became both a founding member and full board member of the European Horse Network (EHN) and is still collaborating actively with the network and was elected to board.

As a result of the UK deciding to leave the European Level, commonly known as BREXIT, much work of the EFTBA was directed to maintaining the all- important relationship between main land Europe and Ireland with the UK, which now has 3rd country status. This was to ensure seamless transport of thoroughbred from a safety and welfare perspective. In addition, the federation worked hard to secure the lively hoods of all European thoroughbred breeders.

For the first time since its establishment, EFTBA held its Annual General Meeting outside of France. The 2018 AGM hosted by the German Owners and Breeders Association was held in Cologne.

Due partly to the successful lobbying the EFTBA, then industry Codes of Practices, (which provides mandatory veterinary guidelines for breeders to control diseases like CEM, EVA, and EHV through biosecurity, testing, and quarantine) gained the status of International Codes of Practice and now has recognition on the global bloodstock industry.

With the outbreak of COVID -19, again EFTBA responded promptly and with effectively to ensure breeding, trade and transport continued unimpeded for all European thoroughbred breeders.

EFTBA secured breeders representation on the IRPAC (International Grading & Race Planning Advisory Committee), which is a committee of the International Federation of Racing Authorities.

EFTBA was invited to take part in a Horse Breeding Data Survey, under taken by the European Food Safety Authority. This invitation signalled EFTBA being recognised as a key industry stakeholder and representative body at EU Level.

EFTBA agrees to support and partially fund a Horse Breeding Data Statistical Survey, which is being commissioned by the EHN. The purpose of this study is to enhance the visibility and recognition of the European equine sector among public decision-makers. The study also seeks to obtain updated data to assess the economic and social importance of the equine sector in Europe. The EHN General Assembly, held on 11 December 2024, approved the engagement of an external.

Bring Expertise & Raise Standards

EFTBA provides a single place for breeders to formulate common policies and seek harmonizing breeding practices and production conditions. Common actions from EFTBA members have led to the implementation of best practices via the International Common Codes of Practices.

Collect & Share Information

Our lobbyist gives monthly reports on EU legislation and political issues impacting the Thoroughbred Industry in Europe. This legal monitoring is an important tool in order to predict and influence the development of horses-related EU regulation.

and other International Federations. Meetings or discussions with those authorities seek to be regularly held, and position statements taken by EFTBA on different issues are circulated and sometimes adopted by those same authorities.

One of EFTBA’s main areas of work is representing members’ concerns in Brussels. EFTBA delegates regularly meet with EU MEPs and Members of the European Commission or Council. EFTBA is also a founding member of the European Horse Network (EHN). Thoroughbred breeders are represented at the meetings hosted by the EHN to discuss and exchange views with EU MEPs and other associations of the Horse Industry on current issues of the European political agenda.

EFTBA is represented on the International Grading & Race Planning Advisory Committee (IRPAC). EFTBA is represented on the board of the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities (IFHA) as well as the International Thoroughbred Breeders Federation (ITBF) Additionally EFTBA and European & Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF) have an Observer Status agreement and work closely on many issues facing the European Bloodstock Industry

EFTBA is committed to making our industry more readable to our politicians, and to the public at large. Actions of promotion include the publication of information and statistics on Thoroughbred breeding. Those figures are available on our website. Lately, a photo contest and an exhibition were held in the European Commission in order to make known the routine of breeders.

Veterinary issues are common to all Member countries and our will is to encourage both scientific research and education of European breeders. The EFTBA Veterinary Advisors Committee brings together veterinarians and scientific experts on various subjects providing all European thoroughbred breeders with regular veterinary updates pertaining to equine welfare.

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