The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) opened a three-day workshop on February 18th, for government veterinary and animal health experts from 20 nations across Asia and Oceania at the Happy Valley Racecourse (HKG), focusing on the international movement of sport horses.

The workshop, which is the first of its kind to be held in Asia, is co-organised by the FEI, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) of the Hong Kong Government and the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC).

Sessions at the workshop will focus on the extensive global growth of the sport horse industry over the last decade, which has resulted in far-reaching socio-economic benefits for national economies and the horse sport industry, and has significantly strengthened the progression of equestrian athletes competing on the world stage. The sport still faces serious challenges due to inconsistent approaches to the application of health regulations and quarantine on competition horses, leading to excessive and irregular health requirements for temporary importation.

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