No Doping Rule Approximation Between German Equestrian Federation and FEI

Veterinary

Veterinary News

The German Equestrian Federation will not be approximating its doping and controlled medication rules to those of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). This was decided at a special meeting of the Sport Board of the German Equestrian Federation on 16 September 2014.

Germany will therefore uphold its own lists of forbidden medication for training and competition.

Since 2012 the FEI has been urging its 132 national federation to approximate their doping rules to the the FEI's Equine Prohibited Substances List (EPSL) also for their national competitions.

All countries have applied the EPSL as their national standard, except for Germany, France and the U.S.A.. Especially the latter country applies less strict rules on controlled medication.

In December 2013 the Sport Board of the German Federation reviewed its current list of forbidden medication, which is part of the "Anti-Doping- und Medikamentenkontroll (ADMR)" regulations. The FEI and the German FN have differences on their list of what they consider doping and controlled medication as well as different thresholds for testing positive.

Partner associations have worked together with the Sport Board as well as veterinarians and experts for eight months.

Breido zu Rantzau, president of the German Equestrian Federation, commented: "In today's meeting with the Sport Board we extensively discussed the complex matter of approximation. What came out of it is that there still needs to be more discussion from a veterinary, pharmaceutical and legal viewpoint. That is why we have decided not to apply the approximation just yet."

A working group has been established to research the matter even more.