Representing FEIF, Marko Mazeland, participated in a so-called ‘MEP lunch’ in Brussels, organised within the European Parliament (EP) by two members of the MEP Horse Group. This is not a formal committee as there are not enough members of the EP who are interested in horse matters, but over the years interest is growing. The European Horse Network (EHN) has about 35 members, and some 20 organisations were represented, including large ones like FEI, several breeder organisations, European equine vets and FEIF.
The meeting was opened by Ursua von der Leyen (president of the European Commission, and with an impressive horse background, including CHIO in Aachen). She moved the prepared text aside and declared once more her commitment to horses and the importance of equestrianism. For the first time she also stressed that the horse sector should be part of EU policies, including the common agriculture policy (CAP). Instead of grazing cows, horses might reduce NOx emissions, be used in nature preservation and protected grazing areas. Furthermore, in social policies horses could be recognized for their therapeutic abilities. The horse sector should be added to EU statistics again. With a turnover of approximately € 100 billion it is not the largest sector but still important.
Irish MEP, Nina Carberry, outlined several areas where EU policy currently falls short in relation to horses. These include health and welfare standards, transport regulations, travel documentation, medication rules, agricultural policy and the absence of comprehensive statistical data on the sector.
Concerns about biosecurity were also raised by Göran Akerström, head veterinarian of the FEI. He warned that rapidly spreading diseases such as West Nile virus pose an increasing risk to horses across Europe. Akerström noted that there is currently little international preparation to respond to such outbreaks.
He cited the example of Liège Airport in Belgium, a major hub for horse transport (also from Iceland) located near the borders of Germany, the Netherlands, France and Luxembourg. In the event of a disease outbreak, tracing the origin of infections is very difficult with the current paper-based passport system. Electronic travel documentation for horses would significantly improve traceability, he said.
At the conclusion of the meeting, von der Leyen invited the European Horse Network to submit a list of priority issues to her office. This would allow her team to examine where the European Commission might provide support or initiate further discussion. She has previously engaged in equine-related matters, including debates on the conservation status of wolves and regulations allowing certain human medicines to be used for horses.
For FEIF and the Icelandic horse community, the developments discussed in Brussels are of immediate significance. Key issues include transport regulations for sport and breeding horses, welfare and health standards, rural policy affecting farms and riding schools, and improved registration systems including electronic passports.
In some areas, FEIF is already ahead of broader EU developments, for example with WorldFengur, the international horse database and the single international Rule Book, which governs breeding and sport activities (unique within EHN). But it is equally important that FEIF follows developments and contributes to improvements within the equine sector.
