French Breeding Season Gets Approval To Continue

[Wandering Eyes]

French breeders were given the go-ahead on Friday evening to continue with their season, with the Ministry of Agriculture approving an extensive list of protocols drawn up by veterinarians and breeding industry experts to keep personnel safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, racing in France was suspended until Apr. 15, and the following day the country entered a government-mandated lockdown. The Ordre National des Veterinaires and AVEF (Association Veterinary Equine France) had earlier in the week issued a directive to vets to cease any non-emergency procedures, a development that would hit stud farms hard in the midst of the covering season. On Friday morning, Haras de Bouquetot, home of last year’s leading first-season yearling sire by average, Shalaa, announced it would close its breeding shed for at least two weeks.

Those that contributed to writing the protocols include veterinary advisors to France Galop and LeTROT; representatives of the AVEF, IFCE and the Societe Hippique Francaise; and Camille Vercken, founder of equine biosecurity consultancy Equiways.

“The continuation of the breeding season is an absolute necessity for the players in the horse industry, whether for breeders or stallion owners,” said EFTBA President Loic Malivet. “So the industry had to come together to propose solutions allowing the continuation of breeding in absolute respect of the rules of hygiene and security facing COVID-19. These steps also respond to the call of the President of the Republic, who [wishes] to maintain economic activity in France despite the particularly painful circumstances that our country is going through today. The EFTBA calls on all professionals in the sector to act responsibly and apply [the protocols] immediately. We are of course available to inform and support breeders and stallion owners.”

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