Plans by the European Union (EU) to review its regulations for the transport of animals has inadvertently cast a threat over the bloodstock industry that could force breeders to rethink how they operate.

The review was borne out of well-meaning intentions; around 1.8 billion animals are destined for slaughter each year in the EU, some of them transported in abominable conditions, and the European Commission’s (EC) announcement of a new Farm To Fork strategy in 2020 was designed to tackle those issues head on.

The problem for the thoroughbred breeding industry is that while racehorses and other elite equestrian disciplines have been granted an exemption from the proposed regulations, thoroughbred bloodstock has not despite being a high-health breed.

To recap, the proposals include:

  • A compulsory seven-day residency requirement for monitoring following travelling or journeys of eight hours or more, meaning that any horse coming into a sales complex anywhere in the EU will have to remain resident at that property for seven days.
  • The prohibition of the transport of mares once they have passed the 80 per cent point of gestation.
  • The prohibition of the transport of foals during the immediate post-partum period, which will preclude foal heat coverings.
  • Compulsory unloading and vet checks at all border crossings.

Granted, this is primarily a matter for EU countries, but Britain is so entwined with its European counterparts that its industry will be affected to a significant degree.

Extensive efforts have been made over the past few years to lobby Brussels, notably by Paull Khan, Secretary-General of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF), Des Leadon, veterinary advisor to the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA) and Chairman of the veterinary advisory committees of the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders Associations (EFTBA) and ITBA, and Joe Hernon, chairman of EFTBA.

Speaking to those involved earlier in the year, there was no doubt that the industry was facing an uphill battle in softening those proposals to a situation where participants, especially breeders and sales houses, could continue to operate in an efficient manner. Some headway has been made since then, however.

Having supplied the relevant EU commissioners with a fact sheet outlining the potential ramifications, Leadon, Hernon and Peter O’Reilly travelled to Brussels in September to meet with Dr Patricia Reilly, the agricultural advisor to Ursula von de Leyen, President of the EC.

According to those present, Dr Reilly was well aware of the issues that would result if the proposals were implemented, including the impracticality of the proposed mandatory state veterinary  inspections. Dr Reilly was also of the belief that the seven-day residency requirement and its impact on auctions would be resolved. An area of concern, however, was the transport of mares after 80% of gestation and of foals before seven days post partum.

It was advised that EFTBA and each of its member associations should write to their national government agricultural attaches, which form the technical advisory group for the EU Council. It is expected that the group will report back to the EU Council within the next 12 weeks.

In response to the concerns over the transport of mares after 80% of gestation, the three largest equine pathology service providers were asked to go through their foal post-mortem examination records over the last two to five years and identify if any abortions were associated with transport. The aborted foetus necropsy total was 1,177, and none had any history of association with transport.

There was also a productive meeting with Dr Andrea Gavinelli, the Head of Animal Welfare at the EU Commission. Like Dr Reilly, he was also of the belief that the issue of the seven-day residency requirement would be resolved.

However, it was advised that there would still be no tolerance for a general derogation and that the suggested amendment by the EFTBA and EMHF to the wording for a solution would not suffice; a new draft is currently in the works.

The issue of post-foaling transport to facilitate foal heat covers is also being addressed. Recent data produced by Weatherbys showed that over 2,000 mares in Britain and Ireland were covered on foal heat from 2022 to 2024, meaning that the proposed restrictions on transport post partum would have a negative impact.

At the heart of it all, however, is the potential economic and employment damage. It has been repeatedly highlighted to those in power that the EU thoroughbred sector comprises over 1,000 stallions and 33,000 mares. In turn, the industry employs more than 150,000 people, which is responsible for more than 2.4% of all agricultural jobs in Europe. With all that in mind, hopefully some kind of agreement can be reached.