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Held in the Foyer Haut des Balances, Longchamp Racecourse; Paris, France
Sunday 12^th May 2013 at 08:50
 
Attendees

Belgium                                Mr José de Muynck
Cyprus                   Mr Petros Palmas
Denmark              Mr Nick Elsass
                               Mme Kiddy Elsass
Finland                  Mrs Amelie Ehrnrooth
France                   Mr Loïc Malivet
Mr Hubert Honoré
Dr Paul-Marie Gadot
                               Mr Tim Richardson
                               Dr Roland Devolz
Mme Camille Vercken
Germany              Mr Andreas Tiedtke
Prof Dr Harald Sieme
Great Britain         Mr Richard Lancaster       
Mrs Louise Kemble
                               Dr James Crowhurst
Hungary                Dr Andras Klinger
Ireland                   Mr Shane O’Dwyer
                               Mr Joe Osborne
                               Dr Des Leadon                  
Italy                        Dr Franco Castelfranchi
Norway                  Mme Camilla Skotvedt
                               Mme Maria Robertz
                               Dr Sweinung Loe
Spain                     Mr Fernando Melchor
Switzerland          Dr Hanspeter Meier
                               Mr Remy Giger
Sweden                                Mr Bo Helander
 
 
1. Opening of the Meeting The meeting started at 08:50. The Chairman welcomed the delegates to meeting, and thanked the Syndicat des Eleveurs and France Galop for their help in providing assistance and such a beautiful venue for the AGM.
 
2. Apologies for absence  Milo Halik (Czech Republic), Emre Gür (Turkey), Isabella Copar (Austria), Fernando Melchor (Spain),  
 
3. Chairman’s address:
During his speech Chairman, Mr Morgan Rhydian Jones praised the strength of European bred horses and European racing despite numerous challenges saying that the sector has to ensure Racing and breeding remains an ambition for people –it is vital for our business.
 
However, he did not dismiss the many serious issues faced by European Racing and breeding countries such as decreasing returns from gambling revenues in many European countries, and the recent scandals with performance-enhancing drugs. It is his belief that there is a greater need for European cooperation than there has ever been. Recent upturns in sales prices in bloodstock mask underlying problems, and it is right that EFTBA addresses this.
.  
 
4. Approval of the 2012 AGM and Autumn meeting minutes and matters arising
 
These were approved.
 
5. Rules and Appointments
 
The Syndicat des Eleveurs has approved the translated new Statutes with a few minor amendments relating to equine vocabulary.
 
There was a discussion about the lack of clarity in the EFTBA statutes regarding the departure of Chairman/Vice-Chairman/Treasurer during their term.
 
 It was agreed that it is the country which holds the post, and therefore up to the national association concerned to choose a suitable replacement.
 
It was agreed to formalize this position in the Statutes at the Autumn 2013 meeting
 
6. Financial matters.
(a)   Accounts including provisional budget for 2013 were approved. EFTBA at 31 December 2012 ended the year more than 22,000 euros in credit and with over 63,000 euros in the savings account.  (P&L and budget Annex1)
(b)   Subscriptions. The Treasurer reported that a letter had been received from long-time member Spain requesting a waiver from the subscription for 2013. While much sympathy was extended to the association, it was generally felt that offering free subscriptions to individual countries would be a prohibitive move.
 
7. Veterinary matters.
 
i. Veterinary Committee report and overview
Dr Leadon reported on the Veterinary Advisory Committee meeting held the day before (minutes Annex 2)  
 
Mme Vercken thanked the Veterinary Committee Chairman to include an update on the Essential Substances list for the next meeting.
 
Mr Richardson explained the thinking behind the Charter on Transport and this was warmly welcomed by the meeting.
 
Dr Hanspeter Meier was again congratulated for his newsletter.
 
There was a detailed discussion about the disposal of horse carcasses. Dr Castelfranchi believed there should be an EU level subsidy available to help with this. Joe Osborne outlined the measures Ireland has taken in identifying thoroughbreds in slaughterhouse data – saying their demographic survey found there was a minority of thoroughbreds in the food chain. The ITBA suggested other countries might find it useful to conduct a similar survey. Mr Elsass suggested there should be some examination about how to make it easier for horses to stay in the food chain.
 
The Chairman suggested a first step of identifying the problem in terms of each country quantifying, to the best of its ability, to what extent thoroughbreds are entering the food chain through slaughter hourses, using the Irish example as a template.
 
Dr Crowhurst outlined an idea of in the long term having an urine test for horses which would be sufficiently economically viable, to identify any substances before the horse is slaughtered.
 
Mme Kemble raised the issue of passports in relation to EU proposed changes for one issuing authority and underlined the UK position to retain the current system.
 
Members gave a huge thanks to Dr Devolz on the many years of expertise and advice he has given to EFTBA and wishes him well in his retirement.
 
 
8. European Matters
 
Mme McGlynn updated the AGM on EU issues.
 
Agriculture:
CAP reform
The Commission’s proposals on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy were widely debated through 2012. EFTBA has been, in its own right and through European Horse Network activity, in contact with the relevant European Commission officials and key European Parliament members. We welcomed in the proposals the emphasis on the protection and expansion of permanent grasslands. There was concern about any change to the definition of ‘active farmer’ in case horse breeders were intentionally (or unintentionally excluded) but this has not so far happened, and we had wide support during this debate on the European Parliament discussionns. The Single Farm Payment is worth millions of euros in revenue to stud farms and other equestrian enterprises with grazing land and needs to be maintained.
 
Betting
EU Communication on "towards a comprehensive European Framework on gambling”
The Commission is not proposing any EU wide legislation, nor is the subject of the funding of sports through betting addressed in the Communication itself. A first expert group meeting with the Member States was held in December 2012, and in 2013, the Commission will organise a stakeholder conference.
 
Sports Policy:
The funding of Sport
Following the Communication 'Developing the European Dimension in Sport'
the Council in its Resolution on a European Union Work Plan for Sport for 2011-2014 set up an Expert Group 'Sustainable Financing of Sport'. The Expert Group, to which 21 Member States have appointed experts, reports to the Council. The Expert Group intends to present
recommendations on strengthened solidarity mechanisms by the end of 2012. The Commission will assess these recommendations with a view to determining possible future action that may be necessary at EU level. This has a key link to gambling and although first and foremost a Racing Authority issue, should be followed by breeders also.
 
Animal Health and Welfare
EU Review of Zootechnical (breeding) requirements
The first draft of this has been stalled for months in the Commission’s legal services department, but the Commission official will start looking at this again soon and will consult
further with stakeholders.
 
EU Animal Welfare Strategy. 
The focus on the Animal Welfare Strategy is on production animals. There are 4 key elements: a law of good principals, information for consumers, a network of reference centres on Animal Welfare, and competence requirements for people working with animals. The core idea is that the farmer/breeder is responsible for the welfare of their animals, and risk management by checks on potential risks.
 
An Animal Welfare Law Whether there is to be an Animal Welfare Law will be decided this winter. There will then be consultations in 2013 especially on animal welfare indicators and the intention is for this to be up and running by 2014.
 
Animal Welfare in Transport A recent European Parliament own-lnitiative report calls, among other things, for a shortened maximum journey limit for horses for slaughter.  However the Commission is reluctant to open the existing Regulation again to changes, even in spite of the attention due to the horse-meat scandal.
 
 
 
Animal Health
The European Commission on the 6th May adopted a package of measures to strengthen the enforcement of health and safety standards for the whole agri-food chain. The current body of EU legislation covering the food chain consists of almost 70 pieces of legislation. The package of reform will cut this down to 5 pieces of legislation. This includes plant health and more efficient official controls on the food chain but also a big change on Animal health.
The package will introduce a single piece of legislation to regulate animal health in the EU based on the principle that "prevention is better than cure".
It aims to improve standards and to provide a common system to better detect and control disease and tackle health, food and feed safety risks in a coordinated way. 
This enhanced system, allied with better rules on identification and registration, will give those working to protect our food chain, such as farmers and veterinarians, the capability to react quickly and to limit spread of disease and minimise its impact on livestock, and on consumers.
Furthermore, it introduces categorization/prioritisation of diseases, which require intervention at EU level. As such, it enables a more risk based approach and appropriate use of resources
Sufficient flexibility is provided to adjust the animal health measures to different sizes and types of establishments (e.g. Small and medium enterprises, hobby holding, etc.) to different local circumstances in particular with respect to registration and approval requirements for establishments and the keeping animals and products.
On a broader scale the law needs to be flexible and robust enough to provide for the effective response of the whole EU in the event of important climate changes thus giving us the tools to deal with new and unknown emerging risks so that we can adjust quickly to new scientific developments and international standards.
 
 
Review of the Equine EU passport regulation
The Director-General of DG SANCO invited Member States to collect information and to reply to a questionnaire of 18 questions relating to the implementation of Regulation 504/2008.While a handful of Member States have not yet submitted their responses, the vast majority did and gave some interesting hints for the Commission’s consideration on how to improve the identification of equidae in the EU under the current legal base, i.e. the existing animal health and zootechnical provisions.
The main issue is the creation of a central database to facilitate the communication between Member States in case of need to verify the identity of a given horse.
Other issues concern mainly a common understanding of the provisions in Regulation 504/2008, thus are more candidates for a guidance document rather than of legal changes to 504/2008. However, at preset the EU official does not believe there is in any problems for a well organised system such as the one operated by the racing industry and the Thoroughbred breeding.
 
In the action Plans proposed by the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/horsemeat/), there is also a point foreseen for autumn this year and this point relates to the Commission proposal for a new legislation on zootechnics. As with any other Commission proposal to the Council and the European Parliament one never knows what is finally decided. However the Commission is inclined to propose that  horses are, as any other livestock, identified and registered on the basis of the animal health legislation and that subsequently the breeding makes use of such identification - nothing new for all the rest of livestock but definitely new for registered horses and in particular for breeding organisations keeping studbooks. With other words Article 8(1) of Directive 90/427/EEC, which clearly requires that registered horses have a passport issued by a breeding organisation, would as such cease to apply. This idea was today supported in the informal Commission discussions with Member States in SCOFCAH in May.
 
Most recently a legal interpretation has been found for the handling of the covering certificates in the context of entry of horses in the main section of a studbook (Article 1(1), second indent, of Decision 96/78/EC) . This interpretation is part of a legal procedure, but those breeding programmes that use the carnet de saillie as a tool to exclude certain unwanted stallions from the breeding population may have to look for alternative ways to ensure that breeding is carried out by mating the best with the best. It goes without saying that following this legal opinion, the management of this carnet de saillie has to be properly reflected in the draft proposal for a new zootechnical regulation and this may well have repercussions on certain breeds.
 
Summary:
Short term: central database
Medium term: proposal to remove the obligation for breeding organisations to issue horse passports
 
 
VAT on horse sales: The last case to be heard (Ireland) found in principle against Ireland earlier this year.
 
9. Country reports.
There followed a round table discussion of developments in Member countries.
 
GB – in 2012 4366 foals, 8766 broodmares and 6346 breeders.  New BOBIS incentive scheme
 
Ireland – 2012 – 7,500 foals. Key issues are government contribution to the sector, and they are also continuing efforts to encourage the younger generation.
 
Italy – 1,195 foals and a decrease of about 30% from 2010. They should gain about 234 million euros in state benefit for the sector bur because of Eu state defecit requirements there has been a tightening within the country of all payments. 
Ireland asked if it would be of use to write to the embassies to help raise the profile of Italian racing and breeding, and it was supported by the Chairman and company to recommend that countries write to their Italian embassies to support the Italian Racing and breeding sector.
 
Cyprus – 2065 foals, but looking at an around 355 decrease overall of horses. Difficulties in funding for the racetrack and an overall difficulty in attracing new owners and the overall image of the sector.
 
Denmark – foal production has fallen over the past 6-8 years although a slight increase this year – still the problem of betting receipts and the issue of the Derby challenge which is due in court on the 9-10 September.
 
Hungary – unfortunately cannot see any factors leading to a recovery in the sector.
 
Finland – small studbook thriving despite no thoroughbred sector itself to speak of in the country.
 
Belgium – Belgian breeders still breeding in France, But signs of optimism. In 2012 Oostende racetrack reopened and has seen attendances of 3,500 at racedays. Good new Gallileo stallion available in Northern France for Belgian breeders.
 
Norway – 60-70 mares and 4 stallions. Still a grant to those breeders with sufficient criteria. The TB sector has recently joined forces with the trotters for the yearling sales and this has seen an increase of TBs sold and new buyers.
 
Switzerland – the Swiss deal with the French PMU is working and has proved good for Racing, and will be even better when the technical issues are solved. Breeding is going down and many of the breeders have moved to Germany and France leaving only the smaller breeders in Switzerland.
 
Sweden – A decline in breeding also in betting where turnover has been down for the first time in decades. Measures to support Swedish breds through the past few years have been through restricted races and owners premiums, although last year all races were opened up and the emphasis was placed on Swedish bred premiums which seems to work best. The 190 hectare farm bought for the new Stockholm track should open in 2016.
 
France – 420 stallions in 2012 – 40 stallions less but it is widely believed quality as a whole has risen. The same in terms of breeders. Good advances in joint initiatives with Tattersalls, Osiris and Arqana. Opportunities for thoroughbreds during the Normany World Equestrian Games being explored. The consequences of the recent European Court of Justice decision on VAT being awaited.
 
Germany – Down now to 600 foals. A letter was sent to the 200 breeders who quit TB breeding  and two main reasons were found: 1. the breeders were getting too old, and 2. low quality horses had no market.
There is also a major current threat due to the European Commission refusing to sanction the new gambling regulations, with informal feedback that they wish to settle the French ‘taxe affecté’ issue first. This is blocking money which should be coming back into German racing and breeding.
 
10. Registration of breeders by France Galop
Tim Richardson outlined the scheme saying that less than 10 breeders out of 7000 were now registered. This allows identification of where prize money goes and provides transparency not just for Racing but for studs as well. All the documents are available in English and also online.
 
11. AOB.
 
Strategic review of EFTBA. It was agreed that it would be of value for the A country members, in particular the permanent Directors of GB, Ireland and France to liaise on a plan for the future of EFTBA to identify how best to progress its actions to the best benefit of breeders.
 
The date of the Autumn meeting was set for the Tuesday 26 November at 5pm at the Jockey Club in Newmarket, UK.
 
Camille Vercken outlined an initiative for young breeders in Europe inviting other countries to join their event in Deauville for French young breeders this summer.
 
Tim Richardson suggested looking at how the thoroughbred sector can attract younger interest from the World Equestrian Games visitors in 2014.
 
 
The meeting finished at 11.50

ANNEX 1
EFTBA PROFIT AND LOSS 2012
& BUDGET 2013

INCOME	Budget 2012	Actual 2012	Provisional 2013
Subscriptions	65 790	65 660	63,020
Interest on Savings	150	2.83	10
Payments outstanding from 2012 **			3,600
TOTAL	65 940	67 662.85	66,630
OUTGOINGS
Secretariat & Lobbying (secretariat 1/3 & lobbying 2/3)	41 344	42 880 67	41 344
Travel expenses	3000	2659.42	3 000
Meeting expenses including dinners	8000	12,375.59 *	7500
Bank charges	200	219.70	220
Website, Annual Reports, Publicity	2000	1224.87	1400
European Horse Network membership	500	500	500
Accountants	2200	2 571,40	2 800
Office expenses:  , Postage, Awards and trophies etc	1200	693,15	1 000
Subsidy for EFTBA country visit/race sponsorship	2000	0	2 000
TOTAL	60,444	63 124.80	59,764

 
 
* 1,500 Jockey club second payment;  2,100 2012 EFTBA AGM hotel, 2,000 country visit, and 2,500 euros sponsorship for Autumn 2012 DNA meeting


EFTBA VETERINARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
held at France Galop, Paris, France
Friday 10^th May 2013 at 14:00h
 
Attendees:
Dr Des Leadon (Chairman)
Dr Paul Marie Gadot
Dr Roland Devolz
Tim Richardson
Dr James Crowhurst
Dr Hanspeter Meier
Dr Franco Castelfranchi
Dr Graeme Cooke - Veterinary Director, FEI
Andrew Harding - Chair, Technical Advisory Committee of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (telephone link from Hong Kong )
Cathy McGlynn
 

1. 1.            Venue and timing

 
The Chairman and Committee expressed their sincere thanks to France Galop Dr Gadot, for hosting the meeting and the telephone conference and to Camiile Verken and Cathy McGlyn for their help in preparing for it. The Committee were joined at their invitation , by Dr Graeme Cooke the CVO of the FEI and by telephone from Hong Kong by Andrew Harding, Co-Chair of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.
 
 

1. 2.            The Thoroughbred Breeding Industry and the OIE

 
The Veterinary Committee have like their counterparts in the ITBF, been given a mandate by the Board to seek representation for the Thoroughbred breeding sector, at the OIE, which is the animal equivalent of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
 
The OIE is the major source of international animal movement, disease control and regulation policy for national governments.
 
The Thoroughbred breeding industry, despite its worldwide contribute to employment and to national and international economies, has never had a voice at the OIE although its activities can be profoundly affected by OIE decisions.
 
This Committee has been in dialogue with the FEI and the TAC of the IFHA throughout the last nine months, to try to garner FEI and TAC support for OIE membership for the breeding sector.
 
The Committee can now report to the Board that both the CVO of the FEI and the Co Chair of TAC are in support of breeding sector representation at the OIE and that a letter of application for breeding sector representation can now be drafted, which can make reference to this support.
This is a positive development not only for the breeding sector but also as was recognised at the meeting, for all horse sport sectors as well because ”the more mass we have, the better for all concerned”.
 
FEI and TAC support does not automatically guarantee a positive response from the OIE and we will have to carefully draft the application and submit it to the Chairs of both EFTBA and the ITBF for approval and signature. We have received guidance on the issues we need to highlight. The draft letters will be prepared within the next seven days to maintain this valuable momentum
 
2.     The Thoroughbred Breeding Industry and the IMHC (International Movement of Horses Committee)
 
Further evidence of the full support of TAC for the breeding industry was provided by Andrew Harding when he relayed a formal offer of invitation from TAC to the breeding sector to provide a full and permanent member place for it at the International Movement of Horses Committee (IMHC).
 
This again, can be cited in the letter to the OIE.
 
This Committee meets annually to review every aspect of international horse movement and is composed of members of horse racing authorities, the FEI and national governments.
 
Andrew explained that the IFHA view is they have vital interest in breeding issues on IMHC – its terms of reference specifically include movement of horses for breeding purposes. He very much hopes that the invitation will be accepted and we will be advising him that the letter of invitation should be forwarded to the Chairs of EFTBA and the ITBF and of their respective Veterinary Committees.
 
This Committee will progress the details of how this should proceed and will report back to the Board by the time of the Autumn meeting.
 

1. 3.     Update by Graeme Cook on FEI proposals on sports horse freedom of movement

 
There then followed a brief presentation by Dr Cooke which included a description of the very  significant growth in sporting equestrian events all over the world, (there are  now the same number of FEI events in South America as are held in North America, and the richest show-jumping competition with over $5million in prize money, is held in Brazil.) Key problems which are restricting growth of these activities include a lack of awareness by Governments of the high health status of high performance horses, as compared to the general horse populations and widely differing quarantine or testing requirements which have evolved without meaningful risk assessment (There are 11 different national EVA test and control regimes in the South American countries). Approaches to easing equine transport restrictions for high value horses include OIE recognised Equine disease free zones (EFDZ), and it is hoped that this can be codified for future events. The FEI are advocating the need for a Universal Industry Bio-security Culture, OIE code changes and clear EDFZ specifications and improved and agreed diagnostic tests, including those used for Equine Influenza. There is now an OIE designated person for an equine focus on competition horses. Dr Crowhurst led the subsequent discussion on definitions and meanings of EDFZ.
 
The Chairman thanked Dr Cooke, saying there is much to build upon and a great deal of communality which would be to the benefit of both sectors.
 
 

1. 4.         DNA & Performance Profiling – Update and What Next?

 
The Committee discussed the joint meeting with TAC on DNA Performance profiling  that was kindly hosted by France Galop last October. It was agreed that the meeting, and the agreed Concluding Statement that followed it and Dr Crowhurst’s article in the Thoroughbred Breeder magazine had all been very useful and productive.
 
 It was also agreed that the joint meeting had in itself provided a very useful forum and that although other meetings could be logistical constraints this year this meeting should be maintained and should schedule to regroup again in October to progress industry efforts to manage this far reaching and rapidly evolving new technology.
 
The Chairman then thanked Andrew Harding and Dr Cooke for their very valuable contributions and support and they then retired form the meeting.
 

1. 5.         International Disease Reporting

 
The Committee then discussed the reports issued by the ICC and RESPE and re-affirmed its support for both of these distinct but equally complementary and important systems. The Committee noted the twinning with RESPE that had taken place in Ireland by the Irish Equine Centre and the possible further extension of the sytem to other EU countries. Dr Gadot referred to the need for transparency in reporting and means of reassuring horse owners of the benefits of reporting were discussed. Tim Richardson reported on RESPE, and its development and increasing professionalism profile and national and international credibility and respect. Dr Devolz informed the Committee that the IFHA is now sending to all member countries ICC reports on a day to day basis to increase transparency and information.
 
The Committee wish to advise the Board that the extent and standard of international disease reporting and awareness has taken giant leaps forward in the last few years and that good use is being made of the many advances in information technologies.
 

1. 6.         SITA and harmonisation of Forensic testing at Sales.

 
Dr Castelfrachi and Cathy McGlynn advised the Committee that there had been no news of any discussions by SITA on any effort to harmonise requirements and procedures for Forensic testing at Auction Sales. 
 
The Committee agreed to progress this matter by each member compiling the actual procedures in their own countries and reporting back to the EFTBA Veterinary Committee list-serve. This information would then be collated and a questionnaire could follow, if appropriate. This review would be provided to the Board by the time of the Autumn meeting. SITA would be informed as a courtesy.
 

1. 7.         EFTBA Newsletter – update from Hans Peter Meier

 
Dr Meier informed the meeting that the next newsletter will be ready in the next month. The Chairman thanked Hanspeter very much on behalf of all the Committee for all his work on the newsletter which is such a valuable asset for the Association.
 
 
 

1. 8.         Date and Time of next meeting

 
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed, and after discussing, it was agreed that because of the work load ,the Committee should advise the Board that this Committee should continue to meet twice each year
 

1. 9.         AOB

 
Tim Richardson outlined a French TBA proposal for a charter of conduct for transport companies in relation to travelling mares and youngstock. It was widely agreed by those present that this would be very useful for all breeders.
 
Dr Devlz advised the Committee that he has initiated a quiet and gentle process of withdrawing into retirement and that Dr Gadot would be progressively taking over from him. The Committee expressed its sincerest thanks to Dr Devolz for all of his work and hoped that it could continue to draw on his expertise and experience.
 
 
Signed;
D.P.Leadon
Chair – EFTBA Veterinary Committee