EFTBA

The European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Association held its series of Autumn Meetings at the John Lambton Rooms, National Horse Racing Museum in Newmarket Nov. 23. A number of matters were discussed at the Autumn Meeting, including the need for an emergency import license for the Equine Viral Arteritis vaccine, known as ARVAC to be granted for Europe's breeding nations. Agreeing to show its support for applications by our country members, the objective is to ensure ARVAC is made available for the start of the 2024 thoroughbred breeding season. EFTBA...

The annual general meeting of the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations (EFTBA) was held at the John Lambton Rooms of the National Horse Racing Museum in Newmarket on July 12. The well-attended meeting also welcomed all new EFTBA representatives--Magdalene Donimirska - Wodzicka Poland; Frank Dorff, Germany' Jose Hormaeche Spain; Philip Lybeck Finland; Henrik Villadsen, Denmark; and Pierric Rouxel, France. Observers included Sarah Carmichael ITBF Secretariat and Victoria Murrell, The TBA. Progress has been made in several areas, including: facilitating freedom of movement between EU Member states continuing to push...

Fillies and mares are forbidden from racing in France after they have been covered by a stallion due to a change to the French rules of racing, France Galop announced. The amendment brings the rules for Thoroughbred racing in France into line with those for Arabians and for Standardbreds used for trotting. However, it is a move which puts France at odds with its fellow European Thoroughbred racing jurisdictions. In Britain and Ireland, fillies and mares can continue to compete for up to 120 days after being covered. If not...

The European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations (EFTBA) and Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA) held their annual general meetings--in a hybrid format--at the ITBA headquarters in County Kildare on May 25 and May 26, respectively. The EFTBA meeting was held in Ireland due to both the chairmanship and secretariat of the EFTBA being held by the ITBA. Cathy Grassick was named the new Chairperson of the ITBA, replacing John McEnery. ITBA CEO Shane O'Dwyer oversaw the proceedings, while the ITBA also welcomed Dr. Dean Harron as the new ITBA President.

The European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations held its 2021 AGM on Nov. 23 in Newmarket, where the movement of Thoroughbreds between Europe and the UK post Brexit was one of the key topics discussed. The federation is continuing its work on securing HHB status for Thoroughbreds. Plans were also made for the federation to produce a European stud farm environmental impact study, and a sub committee was formed to look into the formulation of an official federation welfare strategy to raise awareness about the high level of care Thoroughbreds...

The 2021 breeding season was hit by the perfect storm of ongoing Covid travel restrictions and the end of the transition period that meant Britain's exit from the European Union is now complete. Brexit has been a thorn in the industry's side for five years. For those in Britain who were opposed to it, it has long been considered a gratuitous act of economic self-harm for the country, but the damage done is not restricted to that island. Brexit has affected modes of operation for untold businesses within neighbouring European...

As part of its newly enacted Animal Health Law, the EU Commission will not apply restrictions on traveling foals under 30 days old through the UK and continental Europe. The European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations worked with the likes of Louis Romanet, Dr. Paul Gadot and Brian Kavanagh to form a task force to lobby for the removal of the restrictions, in which Dr. Des Leadon was also instrumental. EFTBA chairman Joe Hernon paid tribute to the work of the task force led by Goran Akerstrom, FEI Veterinary Director,...