The joint World Animal Health Organization (OIE) and Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) conference focusing on modernizing the conditions of movement of horses within South America has called for the removal of outdated or unjustified import and export barriers that are stifling the growth of equestrian sport.

The need for greater understanding of the health certification and quarantine requirements for horses competing at national and international levels was also highlighted at the conference, which was held last week in Guadalajara (MEX) during the Pan American Games and attended by 80 government ministers, international veterinarians and other specialists.

Speakers from the OIE, government representatives from South America, and the FEI tackled the justification of some of the current restrictions imposed on healthy competition horses when traveling between South American countries and the impact this is having on the development of equestrian sport across the region.

The conference closed with a unanimous agreement for a series of initial recommendations to be made by the OIE, its member countries, the FEI, and its national federations in the Americas that will help to achieve the necessary changes