From: Equestrian Sports NZ (dated 07 July 2010)
The FEI have released an initial draft of the timetable for the Congress they will stage in mid-August to further the discussion around the possible re-introduction of allowable limits of Non-Steriodal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs which include Bute).
The Congress has been called as a reaction to widespread global opposition to a vote at last Novembers FEI General Assembly in Copenhagen which, by a narrow majority, endorsed the re-introduction of NSAIDs into FEI competition. However the FEI has deferred this re-introduction pending the Congress debate and a final vote on the matter at the next General Assembly in Taiwan on 5th November 2010.
New Zealand will be represented at the Congress by Dr Wallie Niederer, FEI Contact Veterinary for NZL and the Chef de Mission of the NZ Team that will compete at this years World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Chris Hodson QC, is also a part of the organising committee of the Congress in his role as Second Vice President of the FEI. New Zealand will be represented at the General Assembly in November by its President and Chief Executive.
Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ) has previously written to the FEI http://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/News/News.aspx?ArticleID=3661expressing its strong and firm opposition to the re-introduction of NSAIDs into equestrian competition, believing that this move is in contravention of the standards of horse welfare that we set in New Zealand. ESNZ will continue to inform its members of developments with regard to the NSAIDs debate over the coming months and in the lead-up to the November vote in Taiwan. |