FEI Supports Animal Identification and Traceability
FEI President HRH Princess Haya addresses the EU Veterinary Week conference in Brussels
Speaking to top European Veterinary officials attending the third European Veterinary Week (EVW) in Brussels, the FEI President highlighted the need to create a clear distinction between the sport horse as an equine athlete and livestock that is part of the food chain.
Identification and traceability are hugely important to the equine industry, she noted, helping to minimise the risk of disease-spread during the cross-border transportation of competition horses and also enhancing integrity and promoting public confidence in the equestrian industry.
As an industry with an estimated annual turnover of around 30 billion Euro and, depending on the member state, the creation of one job per 4-10 animals, a disease outbreak would have a huge economic impact on horse sport.
The horse is uniquely one of the most internationally moved animals on the planet, Princess Haya stated, emphasising that the FEI is very aware that the transportation of horses must take place safely, but with appropriate regard to risk. “Therefore we support the EU health requirements and recording of movements, both within the EU, and into the EU from third countries”, the FEI President said.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
