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European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation

EMHF

The main objective of the EMHF is to develop relations among European and Mediterranean Horseracing Authorities, to coordinate promotion of horseracing in Europe and in Mediterranean countries, to defend its integrity and prestige throughout the world and to represent Europe and Mediterranean countries before the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities and the European Union bodies.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Olivér Várhelyi (Commissioner) and

15 Jul 2025 · Animal welfare

Meeting with Andrea Gavinelli (Head of Unit Health and Food Safety)

3 Jun 2025 · COM proposal for a regulation on protection of animals during transporT

Meeting with Nina Carberry (Member of the European Parliament)

18 Feb 2025 · Animal Transport & Welfare Regulation

Meeting with Mairead McGuinness (Commissioner)

23 Jul 2024 · Introductory meeting

Response to Rules on operations to be carried out during and after the documentary check identity and physical checks at the border

24 Sept 2019

A submission from THE EUROPEAN & MEDITERRANEAN HORSERACING FEDERATION (EMHF) THE EUROPEAN & AFRICAN STUD BOOKS COMMITTEE (EASBC) THE EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATIONS (EFTBA) THE EUROPEAN TRAINERS’ FEDERATION (ETF) THE ANIMAL TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION ATA) in response to the European Commission consultation on COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) …/... of XXX establishing detailed rules on the operations to be carried out during and after documentary checks, identity checks and physical checks on animals and goods subject to official controls at border control posts These comments support those made in July 2019 in response to the Animal Health Law delegated regulation consultation on health requirements for entry into the Union. We welcome the proposed derogation from serological sampling tests for registered horses (Annex III,1). However, we have concerns regarding the requirements in Article 4, and believe that a derogation for registered horses should also be added. Given that nearly all equids are transported in vehicles containing less than 10 animals, at present the text seems to require all equids to undergo an individual identity check and clinical examination. This would mean that almost all equids will have to be fully unloaded, even though, in the case of thoroughbreds, their documentation already attests to their high health status. In terms of thoroughbred racehorses and bloodstock, this would undoubtedly cause unnecessary stress and risk of accidents, as well as unnecessary potential exposure to disease. It would also lead to unnecessary delay at BIP crossings leading to further potential welfare problems. Documentation for thoroughbred horses can already demonstrate a high health status. The fact that these horses are destined for either competitive races, bloodstock sales, or arriving or returning from stud, means that it is in the interest of owners and transporters to keep these horses in prime physical condition. Particularly in the case of all pregnant mares, foals, or youngstock, the requirement for unloading and reloading to undertake individual identity and clinical checks, simply places unnecessary stress on these animals, as well as potentially introducing them to additional disease risks. It also unnecessarily prolongs their journey. None of these factors is in the welfare interests of our high-value equids. In addition, these requirements will place an additional unnecessary workload on BIP officers. Therefore, we believe it is in the health and welfare interest of higher health equids who have equivalent equine epidemiological health status to the export/import state, for this legislation to allow, at the very least, for member states to be able to apply a derogation from individual identity checks and clinical examination . Our organisations: The EMHF,s 27 members are the governing bodies for Thoroughbred horseracing in the region. Nineteen of the EMHF’s member countries are EU Member States. EFTBA was set up in 1994 to enable European breeders’ associations to be represented at a European level with a strong single voice. The federation represents the majority of European Thoroughbred breeding countries. EASBC comprises the Thoroughbred Stud Books of Europe and Africa. There are currently 35 Approved Stud Books in this region. The ETF brings together the representative bodies for Thoroughbred racehorse trainers in 12 European countries. The ATA is a non-profit international trade association dedicated to promoting her members and providing access to necessary resources and education for the safe and humane handling and transport of all animals worldwide.Members of ATA include airlines; airports; handlers; shippers; freight forwarders; exporters; government authorities and academic & research organizations who are all involved in the sector of live animal transport.
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Meeting with Dermot Ryan (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

10 Jul 2018 · Brexit

Meeting with Dermot Ryan (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

12 Jul 2017 · implications of Brexit for Irish racing and breeding

Meeting with Robert Madelin (Director-General Communications Networks, Content and Technology)

14 Jul 2015 · DSM