European Breeders Gather in Chantilly
The EFTBA 2024 AGM took place in Chantilly, France, over the weekend of the Prix de Diane Longines, which celebrated the 175th running of the prestigious race and was hosted by the Fédération des Eleveurs du Galop (French TBA)
Over the weekend of the AGM, the French TBA together with France Galop hosted a series of delegates visits, which included the training galops, training yards of both Gavin Hernon and Henri-François Devin as well as Château de Chantilly and the Musée Condé (Condé Museum.) The Delegation Dinner took place on Saturday 15th June; on the eve of the AGM. Both Eric Hoyeau, Arqana Senior Advisor and Henri Pouret, France Galop’s Chief Operating Officer addressed the delegation. Eric Hoyeau spoke about the success of Arqana and the role it plays in Europe’s thoroughbred sales, while Henri Pouret gave an update on the importance of French racing and the work and future plans for France Galop.
The AGM, which took place on Sunday 16th June saw European thoroughbred breeding nations and key industry stakeholders coming together to discuss the current status of the European thoroughbred industry including both challenges and opportunities. A series of issues, which have the potential to seriously threaten European thoroughbred breeding were discussed.
EVA Control Measures
Failure of supply of the killed EVA vaccine known as Artervac, due to manufacturing failure, resulted in increased EVA vulnerability of the elite stallion herd throughout Europe. FR, GER and IRL lobbied their own national governments and EFTBA lobbied the EU to seek an emergency import license for the live US vaccine ARVAC as a substitute for the absent Artervac. These efforts were not successful with the sole exception of an IRL license for ARVAC usage in “horses destined to export to countries that require EVA vaccination prior to import”. Failure of access to EVA vaccine for a second consecutive year would result in significant waning of immunity in the elite stallion herd in the 2025 breeding season. EFTBA and national associations will once again lobby for access to ARVAC for the 2025 breeding season.
ROTAVIRUS B
Rotavirus B is a newly identified Rotavirus strain that has caused severe enteric disease and foal deaths in the USA. It has spread from initial occurrences in Kentucky to multiple other US states and has now been seen in multiple breeds in addition to its impacts on the Thoroughbred industry. Incursion of this new disease into Europe is therefore likely to occur in the near future even though there have been no confirmed cases in Europe to date. The Gluck Centre in Kentucky is spearheading efforts to develop improved diagnostics to help to identify cases of this condition and efforts are being made to develop a vaccine.
EU’s proposed Animal Welfare in Transport Regulations.
The EU Commission has forwarded draft regulations aimed primarily at improving the welfare in transit of animals destined for slaughter, to the EU Parliament. These regulations provide a derogation / exemption for racehorse and elite equestrian competition horses. They do not provide for a derogation for the elite (High Health) breeding industry. The absence of such derogation would have very serious adverse consequences for the European Thoroughbred breeding industry. The EFTBA have met with the EU Commission to try to resolve this issue and these efforts are ongoing. It is important that all EFTBA EU member associations lobby their own national veterinary authorities in the same way.
Other matters discussed included the revision of German animal welfare laws, which now means a vet certificate is required for prior to training while a behavioural study is undertaken. This study is expected to take a number of years. On the behalf of the EFTBA Executive, the chairman offered its full support and assistance to the German TBA while it lobbies to retain the exemption. Also discussed were the lingering issues pertaining to trade and transport following BREXIT, the recent decision taken by the EU to lift the ban on South African importation of Equidae (Horses, Zebras, Donkeys, Mules) into Europe was observed. It was also noted the result of the UK's review of this issue was pending publication.
Global Thoroughbred Industry Continues to Reject AI
A report from the ITBF Conference 2024, which took place in Japan during the month of May, highlighted the fact that at the conference, all artificial breeding methods were AI (artificial insemination) was fully rejected by the unanimous vote of 27 thoroughbred breeding nations, across 6 continents. This rejection included Artificial Insemination, equine thoroughbred cloning, embryo transfers, sexing stallion sperm, genetic manipulation and all future potential threats.
EFTBA’s representation on IRPAC continues
During the AGM and following invitation by the IFHA’s IRPAC (International Grading & Race
Planning Advisory Committee) to nominate a member of the EFTBA Executive to join the committee, the decision was made to put forward Frank Dorff. Frank who represents Germany on the EFTBA Executive, manages the world renowned Gestüt Röttgen, a large stud farm based near Cologne in Germany.
The Amazing Impact of the Thoroughbred
Following on from our inaugural video in 2023 “The Amazing Story of the Thoroughbred” which captured the breeding season across Europe’s breeding nations; we are proud to present our 2024 video “The Amazing Impact of the Thoroughbred”. This video showcases the tremendous impact of the European Thoroughbred Industry and its 23,000 plus breeders The link to The Amazing Impact of the Thoroughbred accompanies this press release.
Commenting on the AGM, Chairman Joe Hernon said “EFTBA will continue to combat against the serious threats facing Europe’s thoroughbred breeding industry, our fellow breeders and their livelihoods, while ensuring equine welfare is at the centre of all our actions and decisions. In light of the ever-impinging SLO (Social License to Operate), it is essential we have worldwide industry collaboration and communication to further enhance equine welfare initiatives. 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 guardian of the thoroughbred and strive to make it current and acceptable in today’s world”