European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations

MEP Hilde Vautmans and MEP Benoit Cassart visited Coolmore with Des Leadon MA MVB MSC and Joe Hernon, chairman of the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations (EFTBA) on June 9. Vautmans is the chairperson of the Horse Group in the EU Parliament and Cassart, also a member, is in charge of the Animal Transport dossier. Leadon and Hernon highlighted the problems facing the Irish industry if new transport rules are not modified to include Irish animals alongside the high health animals in the racing and sporting disciplines. Said Hernon...

A meeting of the Members of European Parliament (MEP) Horse Group was held in Brussels on March 5 and arranged by the European Horse Network (EHN). The European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations (EFTBA) was well-represented at the meeting by chairman Joe Hernon and Veterinary Advisory Committee chairman Des Leadon. There were also a number of MEPs and members of the EHN on hand. Nina Carberry hosted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Much of the discussion was on the future of the equine sector as well as negotiations...

Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has obtained permission to import the Arvac vaccine ahead of the 2025 breeding season, the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations (EFTBA) announced on Monday. The manufacturing failure of the Artervac vaccine in 2023 had left Europe's elite stallions vulnerable to an outbreak of EVA, a notifiable disease which can cause infertility, as well as pregnancy loss in mares. The EFTBA and its members, including Ireland, France and Germany, had lobbied the EU for permission to import the alternative vaccine, Arvac,...

The European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations (EFTBA) held its 2024 AGM in Chantilly, France over the weekend of the G1 Prix de Diane Longines, which celebrated the 175th running of the prestigious race and was hosted by the Fédération des Eleveurs du Galop (French TBA). Over the weekend of the AGM, the French TBA, together with France Galop, hosted a series of visits for delegates which included the training gallops and the training yards of Gavin Hernon and Henri-François Devin, as well as Château de Chantilly and the Musée...

The European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations (EFTBA) and Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA) held their annual general meetings--in a hybrid format--at the ITBA headquarters in County Kildare on May 25 and May 26, respectively. The EFTBA meeting was held in Ireland due to both the chairmanship and secretariat of the EFTBA being held by the ITBA. Cathy Grassick was named the new Chairperson of the ITBA, replacing John McEnery. ITBA CEO Shane O'Dwyer oversaw the proceedings, while the ITBA also welcomed Dr. Dean Harron as the new ITBA President.