HRH Princess Haya, president of the Fédéracion Equestre Internationale (FEI), has called for a more rational risk-based approach to international trade requirements for the transportation of competition horses.

Speaking to some of the world's top animal health government officials at the 78th OIE General Assembly in Paris on May 23, the FEI president acknowledged the need for sanitary measures such as required testing and quarantine periods, but called for these measures to be applied in a reasoned manner and proportional to the risk of disease-spread when transporting international sport horses.

The FEI president highlighted the high health status of competition horses and called on the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) to make decisions on equine importation requirements based on a fair assessment of risk and consistent decision making. She stressed that lengthy delays at border posts are not acceptable and are a clear contradiction of the principles of fairness and good welfare.

The rapid growth of equine sports, particularly international equestrian competition and racing, is directly linked to associated job creation and government revenues, Princess Haya said. Other benefits of the worldwide expanding interest in the horse include greater understanding of ways to maintain animal health and a healthier lifestyle for young people, she said