Racing told 'the time has come' to face up to the challenge of climate change

The global horseracing industry has been told "the time has now come" to address the issue of climate change.

Incoming International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges made the call in his keynote speech to the organisation's annual conference, which again took place virtually due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Engelbrecht-Bresges said climate change and sustainability were key parts of the IFHA's strategy, along with areas such as equine welfare, with the sport facing "major" challenges.

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He said: "Climate change is a topic that has yet to be properly examined in a holistic way by the racing industry. The time has now come for racing to fully commit to addressing the challenge of climate change.

"We are dedicated to seeing that the federation takes a lead in a global discussion and exploration of how our industry can confront the threat of climate change and how our members can plan to adapt their operations and our sport to work together towards net zero carbon emissions.

"Like other major industries and sports, this is an obligation and not a choice."

Engelbrecht-Bresges said racing and breeding was both an elite sport and a significant contributor to the agricultural sector, creating "vast direct and indirect employment".

That meant the industry response to climate change would be "multi-faceted" with the federation creating a dedicated committee for sustainability and climate change.

"We must anticipate threats to our membership from climate change and changes in government policies and emission targets on their racing operations and find effective solutions," he added.

"We are confident that racing as a major global sport can demonstrate leadership on climate change just as we have in other areas such as commercial development and integrity approaches."

Engelbrecht-Bresges said that as social attitudes towards animal welfare changed it was vital the sport demonstrated its commitment to the welfare of horses "at every stage of their lives".

He added: "It is critical that our members have in place full traceability systems and viable post-racing career pathways and this will, in conjunction with key partners, be a key plank of the federation's future focus for horse welfare."

The importance of mental health along with diversity and inclusion was also taking greater prominence, Engelbrecht-Bresges said.

He added: "The welfare of our human athletes is equally important if racing is to remain a viable pathway for the next generation of jockeys, trainers, stable staff and others.

"Protecting their physical and mental health requires a holistic approach and the federation will work with experts to drive the industry effort on this front."

Engelbrecht-Bresges also acknowledged the "outstanding contribution" of the outgoing chairman Louis Romanet, who had served in the role since the launch of the IFHA in March 1994.

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