Cobalt misuse in the horse racing industry is a serious animal welfare issue and any veterinarian who seriously breaches the rules of racing by misusing cobalt should be removed from the profession, says Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA), a special interest group of the Australian Veterinary Association.

Nathan Anthony, BVSc (Hons) MANZCVSc, EVA president said the association isn’t in a position to comment on specific charges against a Victorian veterinarian relating to misuse of cobalt until the facts have been considered by the independent regulatory body—the New South Wales Veterinary Practitioners’ Board.

“Veterinarians are registered and regulated by the board in each state and territory,” Anthony said. “The veterinary practitioners’ board have extensive statutory powers to investigate thoroughly and to discipline a vet if they’re found guilty. In some cases they can be barred from practicing altogether, and we believe this is appropriate for those who are guilty of serious offences.”

The EVA recently announced its support of the Australian Racing Board’s (ARB) threshold for cobalt use in racehorses to 200 micrograms