The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) is among the driving forces behind a pioneering regional workshop, hosted by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), which opened at Happy Valley racecourse today, Tuesday 18 February.
The three-day event for Asia, the Far East and Oceania is the first of its kind to be held in Asia and is co-organised by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the Hong Kong Government (AFCD) and the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC).
The workshop is being held to address issues relating to the safe and free movement of competing sport horses internationally, and the expansion of the equine industry as a whole. One of a series organised around the world by the OIE at regional level, the event brings together key public and private sector stakeholders.
“It is vital for the growth of horse racing and equestrian sport internationally that the movement of horses becomes smoother, without jeopardising the health status of horses around the world,” said Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the HKJC, in his opening remarks to the workshop. Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges is also Vice-Chairman of the IFHA with special responsibility for international horse movement.
“From the IFHA’s perspective, we want to enable the world’s best horses to participate in the world’s leading events,” he said. “Cross-border competition is, of course, good for the sport, but it also improves the breed, as increased global competition helps to identify the best horses, many of whom are then involved in the breeding cycle. This historic workshop over the next three days is a wonderful opportunity for continued dialogue between all of us who are striving to make progress in this area and I am grateful to everyone here for their attendance and their input.”
In the last decade, there has been significant worldwide growth in the sport horse industry, bringing with it socio-economic benefits to many national economies and to the horse industry itself. This growth, however, faces a number of challenges that impede the free and safe international movement of competition horses as well as the expansion of the equine industry. These obstacles include inconsistent approaches to the application of health regulations and quarantine, leading to excessive and irregular health requirements for importation of horses.
In order to address these constraints, the OIE, with the support of the FEI, and in collaboration with the IFHA and other experts, is developing the ‘high health, high performance horse (HHP)’ concept, based on existing OIE Standards.
To identify the concrete nature of the impediments to movement of competition horses, which covers all forms of equestrian sport, including horse racing, the OIE organises dialogue in various regions of the world, aimed ultimately at harmonising national health requirements for horse importation. This week’s workshop, held in Hong Kong from 18-20 February, is the latest stage in that process, and is being attended by delegates from all over Asia, the Far East and Oceania.
Dr Bernard Vallat, Director General of the OIE, said that his organisation recognises that “facilitation of international horse movement would also allow for emerging countries and regions to tap into the economic potential associated with an increase in numbers of equestrian events, be it horse racing or FEI sport.”
Dr Ko Wing Man, the Hong Kong Government’s Secretary for Food and Health, welcomed delegates to the event.
“Unlike places such as Europe and North America where equine sport is very well established, significant room exists for expansion in territories including Asia,” said Dr Ko. “Our common goal is to establish a framework for countries and regions to harmonise the approach to facilitating the movement of sport horses, including the formulation of temporary import conditions that would help minimise the risk of trans-boundary disease transmission.”
Further information:
For OIE, please visit http://www.oie.int/
About the FEI: The International Equestrian Federation (FEI), founded in 1921, is the international body governing equestrian sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in Dressage & Para-Dressage, Jumping, Eventing, Driving & Para-Driving, Endurance, Vaulting, and Reining.
Related website: http://www.fei.org/
About the IFHA: The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities is a federation comprising racing authorities from approximately 60 member countries throughout the world. Every year, the federation organizes the International Conference, which updates the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering endorsed by the conference in 1974.
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Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Vice-Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, delivers the opening speech on the first day of the OIE Regional Workshop for Asia, the Far East and Oceania held at Happy Valley Racecourse.
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Dr Ko Wing Man, Secretary for Food and Health of the HKSAR Government, addresses all attending delegates in the same session.
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Dr Bernard Vallat, Director General of the OIE, makes his opening remarks to all attendees at the workshop.
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