Sustainability and welfare to the fore at EFTBA AGM

The European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations (EFTBA) has announced plans to conduct a continent-wide study into the environmental impact of stud farming.

The decision was taken at the association's recent AGM which was held in Newmarket prior to the start of the Tattersalls December Sales.

Sustainability and welfare were the key areas of strategy development decided upon at the 2021 AGM and a sub-committee was set up to formulate an official welfare policy for the association. As well as the new strategy, plans were also put in place to launch a programme raising awareness of welfare and care standards in the European industry.

The fall-out from Brexit continues to have a major impact on the thoroughbred breeding and racing sectors across Europe and issues arising from this, particularly the problems of transporting breeding stock between Britain and the EU, are the focus of much of the EFTBA's efforts.

Work on securing High Health Breed (HHB) status for thoroughbreds to allow easier movement of breeding stock between Britain and the EU remains the organisation's priority and efforts to resolve the situation are ongoing.

Joe Hernon, chairman of the EFTBA, said:"Despite the many challenges and threats facing the European bloodstock industry, breeders have displayed great resolve and determination in working to overcome these obstacles.

"While these challenges continue to have a serious impact on the European thoroughbred industry, I would like to assure all that EFTBA is steadfast in its commitment to deliver for thoroughbred breeders during these uncertain times.”

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