New Collaboration Agreement between WOAH and the International Horse Sports Confederation

Veterinary

Health Care

-- WOAH press release

In a significant milestone for the international equine industry, WOAH and the International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC) have signed a new five-year collaboration agreement for 2025-2029. This renewed partnership builds on the substantial achievements of previous agreements to facilitate the safe international movement of competition horses, ensuring the implementation of WOAH standards for animal health and robust disease risk management.

Movement of Horses

Over the past years, joint efforts under earlier WOAH-IHSC collaboration agreements have delivered transformative results. The 2020-2024 collaboration agreement established a comprehensive framework that harmonised certification processes and updated international standards for equine diseases. Key achievements include contributions to several equine disease chapters of the Terrestrial Code that are of importance for international trade. Moreover, the introduction of practical tools like the High Health, High Performance horses (HHP) framework and the Equine Disease Free Zone Guidelines played a critical role in streamlining certification procedures and mitigating disease risks. These advancements have significantly contributed to safer and more efficient international movement protocols for competition horses.

Regional initiatives were a cornerstone of the previous collaboration agreements, with the implementation of strategic roadmaps to facilitate the temporary movement of competition horses that spanned across Asia, the Americas, the Middle East and Europe. Enhanced laboratory capacities, advanced diagnostic tools and targeted capacity-building initiatives have all contributed to a stronger, more coordinated international network of Veterinary Services and industry stakeholders. Workshops, webinars and the harmonisation of health certificates—along with the development of digital passports for competition horses—have also united these networks. These collaborative efforts have minimised health risks and fostered proactive strategies for managing equine diseases.

Offering both Continuity and Innovation Over the Next Five Years

Looking forward, the new collaboration agreement for 2025-2029 builds upon these successes by emphasising both continuity and innovation. Planned activities include the ongoing monitoring of regional roadmap implementations, further harmonisation of sanitary protocols and progress towards digital transformation. The updated WOAH standards will address emerging equine diseases such as equine encephalomyelitides and West Nile Fever, while the new initiatives also place a strong focus on animal welfare during transportation. Additionally, efforts will be made to further integrate and promote the HHP framework and the Equine Disease Free Zone Guidelines to enhance the reliability and safety of international horse movement and development of international horse sports events. Additional initiatives will prioritise the enhancement of diagnostic capabilities and the development of novel vaccines, ensuring that the global equine community remains resilient in the face of evolving health challenges.

Emphasis on Public-Private Partnerships

A key element of this renewed collaboration is the emphasis on a public-private partnership (PPP) model, which bridges the expertise of the private equine industry with the strategic oversight of public Veterinary Services. This synergy is essential for fostering innovation, streamlining trade processes, and reinforcing regulatory harmonisation. By uniting diverse stakeholders under a common goal, the collaboration agreement reinforces a commitment to the health and safety of competition horses, ensuring that Veterinary Services and industry practices remain aligned with the highest international standards.

The WOAH-IHSC collaboration is not only a commitment to the health and safety of competition horses but also a strategic investment in the future growth and competitiveness of the global equine industry. Stakeholders and veterinary authorities are encouraged to follow these developments and access further information through WOAH International Competition Horse Movement .