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European Horse Network

EHN

EHN is a non-profit network of stakeholders acting at a World-, European-, National- or Regional-level within the European horse, pony, donkey and welfare sector.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Integrated farm statistics for the period 2030-2039

9 Sept 2025

The European Horse Network (EHN), which brings together 34 organisations representing all equine activities across Europe, welcomes the call for contributions launched by the European Commission. For stakeholders in the sector, this upcoming regulation represents an opportunity to reintegrate equines into the list of livestock variables to be collected by Member States. Since the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2018/1091, equines have been excluded from this list. Through this attached contribution, the EHN wishes to draw the Commissions attention to the significant long-term risk of losing knowledge and monitoring of equines within the European Union if they are not reintroduced into European agricultural statistics.
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Meeting with Taru Haapaniemi (Cabinet of Commissioner Christophe Hansen)

18 Feb 2025 · (1) Equine sector - thoroughbred key concerns; (2) Concerns about the proposed regulation on the protection of animals during transport and its potential impact on Europe’s bloodstock, racing, and sport horse industries

Response to Veterinary medicines – list of essential substances for equine species

11 Feb 2025

European Horse Network response to the European Commissions call for contributions on veterinary medicines Essential substances for horses and other Equidae - Implementing Regulation (EU) - Ares(2025)306844, and its Annex (list) Brussels, 11th February 2025 The European Horse Network (EHN) is a non-profit network of stakeholders acting at a World-European-, National- or Regional-level within the European horse, pony, donkey and welfare sector. The health and welfare of equines is paramount for EHN members. After analyzing this list, EHN members are in favour of the proposal to include the substances tetryzoline, synephrine and polymyxine B proposed following the opinion of ANSES published in 2016. However, the substances methocarbanol, fusidic acid and dexmedetomidine do not have sufficient guarantees of toxicity and we are opposed to their inclusion as such. We also oppose the removal of griseofulvin, sevoflurane, rifampicin, midazolam, technitium (Tc99), buprenorphine and ketoconazole from the current list. These substances are essential to ensure the health and welfare of equidae, while ensuring public health and food safety. Their removal leads many equidae to permanent exclusion from the butcher shop or a failure to treat them properly. Last but not least, we expressly request that phenylbutazone be added to the list: its clinical benefit for the treatment of pain in horses is recognized by all and its health safety in terms of food residues after a period of 6 months was constrained by ANSES in its opinion of March 31, 2016. Similarly, rifamycin and tenoic acid, discussed in the same opinion, are worthy of mention, particularly in the context of antimicrobial resistance control and One Health. The position of the European Horse Network is fully supported by its members. Apart from this contribution, EHN has sent to EMA, general comments on the opinion as well as a more detailed analysis on the molecules planned to be removed, added or not included. EHN Transparency Register Number: 646839153363-65 www.europeanhorsenetwork.eu
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Response to Protection of animals during transport

12 Apr 2024

The European Horse Network has examined the proposal for Regulation released by the European Commission in December 2023. Our network welcomes the important work done by the EC on this matter. In this proposal, the European Commission has taken into account previous comments from the European equine industry, for which we are grateful. New classification based on the purpose of the journey EHN welcomes the new classification based on the purpose of the journey. We believe that it will more effectively facilitate our aligned welfare objectives than the existing legislation, which is based on the distinction between Registered and Non-registered Equidae. Even if EHN members will individually clarify their position on proposed derogations, the European equine industry is fully committed to improve welfare conditions during transport and traceability with use of new technological innovations . All members call for more scientific studies to have scientific data and detailed information on the impact of transport conditions. Nonetheless, we would like to bring the policy makers attention to some important points, which could profoundly affect equine activities. (See the document uploaded).
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