LIFTING OF EU 30 DAY FOAL RESTRICTIONS

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 youngstock 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. 

The necessary forming of the International Horse in Sport Confederation (IHSC) Task Force, within which both ITBF and EFTBA are represented, has been instrumental in ensuring this result. ITBF’s Veterinary Chair, Dr Des Leadon, (also Veterinary Consultant to EFTBA) has worked tirelessly on this campaign to achieve the desired outcome and to whom we are all immensely grateful. The IHSC continues to campaign on other vital matters on behalf of the breeding industry.

EFTBA Chairman, Joe Hernon, paid tribute to the work of the IHSC 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”.