EFTBA Press Release 16th April 2021 Lifting of EU 30 Day Foal Restrictions

 

EFTBA PRESS RELEASE – APRIL 2021

LIFTING OF EU 30 DAY FOAL RESTRICTIONS 

EFTBA welcomes with relief the good news that the EU Commission is to row back on applying restrictions on travelling young healthy bloodstock under 30 days old, as part of its newly enacted Animal Health Law.

 

This restriction, should it have been enacted would have resulted in additional costs for all European breeders, in terms of potential loss; of reduced coverings, nominations and sales due to the inability of travelling young stock with their dams. After comprehensive lobbying over the last number of years at the highest EU level, the decision not to enact this 30-day restriction, will ensure the continuing movement of mares and foals travelling to and through the UK as well as Continental Europe.

 

This is a good result for EFTBA, which has championed this cause and was instrumental in meeting with Mr Louis Romanet, Dr Paul Gadot, and Brian Kavanagh amongst others. This meeting resulted in the establishment of the Task Force by International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC). Dr Des Leadon, EFTBA Veterinary Consultant has been our representative on the Task Force and has given so freely of both his time and dedicated perseverance to deliver this extremely positive result.

 

Commenting on the development, EFTBA chairman Joe Hernon paid tribute to the work of the Task Force led by Göran Åkerström, FEI Veterinary Director, which finally succeeded in securing this pragmatic solution, to facilitate the breeding industry as it was in the past. Hernon said “This is an example how EFTBA, guardian of the thoroughbred, can work and represent the many European breeding associations who fund the federation as it’s continues to address and negotiate on matters of great concern, including post Brexit and Animal Health Law issues