Equine industry in EU could shrink by a third without agreement on free movement of horses

Europe’s equine industry could face a massive contraction and major job losses unless officials can secure agreement on the continued free movement of horses between Britain and the EU.

“Failure is not an option,” declared International Horse Sports Confederation president Ingmar De Vos.

“Without agreement on this, we estimate that the industry in Europe could shrink by as much as a third, with a potential €17 billion reduction in economic contribution, and the potential loss of 250,000 jobs in a marketplace already threatened with critical unemployment levels and a significant reduction in foreign direct investment in the European Union as the economic focus shifts to North America and Asia.”

The confederation, formed in 2013, is a formal vehicle for co-operation between the global governing bodies for equestrian sport and racing — the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).

The confederation believes it is crucial that any trade agreement reached resulting from Britain’s withdrawal from the EU does not impede the safe and free flow of horses across the English Channel.

“The equine industry is of crucial importance to the economic, social, sporting and cultural fabric of both the European Union and the United Kingdom, and as representatives from all sectors of that industry, we believe that there are simple solutions that can guarantee a secure future for the European equine industry,” De Vos said.

“It is one of the most important animal breeding and production sectors in Europe, larger and with greater economic impact and employment than a number of other European agricultural sectors, with a net worth of over €52 billion per annum, providing 210,000 direct and more than 500,000 indirect jobs.

“Our goal is to reach an agreement that will allow for a continuation of the historical expedited movement of horses for breeding, sale and competition between EU member states and Britain.

“While there are some sectors currently under discussion that seem to remain difficult in the negotiations, we believe that there are simple solutions within the equine industry that can be readily included in a free trade agreement. Indeed, they are also workable even in a no deal scenario.”

A 14-page dossier outlining how safe and efficient horse movements between Britain and the European Union can be maintained has been sent to lawmakers on both sides of the English Channel as a trade deal is worked toward.

It was prepared by the confederation’s six-member European Task Force for Brexit and EU Animal Health Law, formed earlier this year.

Britain’s membership of the EU ended on January 31 this year, beginning a period of transitional arrangements set to end on December 31.

Proposed measures to aid safe and expedited horse movements between EU member states and Britain in final trade arrangements are contained in a 14-page dossier produced by the confederation’s Task Force for Brexit and EU Animal Health Law.

It has been sent to Michel Barnier, the European Commission’s head of the Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom; and to Lord Frost, the British Prime Minister’s Europe adviser and chief negotiator of Task Force Europe.

The proposals cover equilibrium in equine health status between the EU and Britain, digital passports to facilitate seamless international transport of guaranteed high-health status horses and zero tariffs for cross-border movement.

The confederation, together with the International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation, European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders Associations and the European Equestrian Federation, has proposed what it says are simple and workable solutions that will ensure horse welfare and safeguard both European and British interests.

High health horses in Britain have the same health status as those in EU member states and the task force is requesting that a trade agreement between the EU and Britain should reflect this fact.

Zero tariffs are already in place, and the task force is requesting that they be maintained, with the scheme being extended to geldings. Currently, only stallions and mares are eligible for tariff-free cross-border transport.

Digital passports would provide EU Competent Authorities with full traceability and sanitary guarantees, offering immediate, 24/7 access to secure fail-safe identification and ownership information, as well as real-time monitoring of a horse’s movements.

The high health status of each horse can be instantly validated through access to up-to-date vaccination and medical records, allowing for a higher level of monitoring and prevention of potential disease outbreaks in line with the biosecurity requirements of the EU Animal Health Law, thus facilitating speedy transit for these horses. The digital equine passports can also be adopted for use between EU Member States and A-listed third countries.

If approved, the e-Passport would have no financial implications for the EU as costs around final development, implementation and running of the system will be met by the equine industry.

Using a two-pronged approach, the task force is seeking to have its proposals captured in the text of both the Trade Agreement and in the EU Animal Health Law, which will come into force on April 21 next year.

Should a trade agreement with Britain not be reached, the task force is asking the EU to declare an equilibrium of health status for A-listed third countries.

The proposals also include regional agreements on the bio-secure traceable movement of high health horses signed between neighbouring EU Member States. A Tripartite Agreement previously existed between France, Britain and Ireland, and there is currently an agreement between France and the Benelux countries.

“We are asking the negotiators on both sides of the table to take our proposals on board and incorporate them into the texts of the trade agreement, if there is one, and the EU to include them in the incoming EU Animal Health Law, which comes into effect next April,” De Vos said.

The European Task Force for Brexit and EU Animal Health Law is chaired by FEI veterinary director Dr Göran Akerström. It also includes Simon Cooper, vice-chairman of the International Stud Book Committee and director of the General Stud Book (Weatherbys); Paul-Marie Gadot, veterinary adviser to France Galop and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA); Des Leadon, who is European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders’ Associations’ Veterinary Committee chairman; Brian Kavanagh, Horse Racing Ireland chief executive; and IFHA vice-chairman and European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation Chairman; and Ronan Murphy, European Equestrian Federation EU Committee member.