European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the annual Brussels conference organised by the MEPs' Horse Group and European Horse Network and confirmed her support for the sector. We are, indeed, fortunate, to have the backing of such an influential figure.
Ursula von der Leyen gives her opening address. MEP Horse Group Chair Hilde Vautmans looks on.
The title of the conference was '2022, A TURNING POINT FOR THE EUROPEAN EQUINE INDUSTRY: HOW CAN DECISION MAKERS SUPPORT THE INDUSTRY AND THE SPORT?
Speakers included MEP Horse Group Chair, Hilde Vautmans, World Horse Welfare CEO Roly Owers and Julius Peters, President of FEEVA, (the Federation of Europeans Equine Vets).
EMHF Secretary-General, Paull Khan, spoke on Horse Movement in the context of Brexit, the EU Animal Health Law and EU Transport Regulation.
EMHF Secretary-General Paull Khan speaking on the impact of legislation on horse movements.
He called for:
the introduction of a system which reduces the administrative burden on international horse movement where the high health of the horses can be demonstrated
a commitment to replace antiquated paper-based systems by embracing existing digital technology and ensuring interoperability with Governmental systems
equine sector representation to advise the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee
Revenue authorities to agree sensible exemptions from the need to make VAT payments in the case of temporary horse movements
legislators to reject proposals in relation to horse transport which would cause serious damage to our sector - eg banning live horse movements to Third Countries, banning all sea transport, requiring veterinary presence at all loadings and unloadings and banning travel of unweaned animals.