FEI Bureau Meeting, Dubai (UAE), 15-16 November 2007The FEI Veterinary Committee Chairman presented a detailed update on FEI veterinary activities pertaining, amongst others, to veterinary research, major event veterinary preparations, welfare sub committee issues, hypersensitisation, hyperflexion, competition intensity, equine influenza and concerns over other diseases. MEDICATION CONTROL PROGRAMME (MCP) UPDATE As per 1 October 2007, 1722 horses had been tested. Seventeen positive test results were noted within the MCP (Groups I + II); another sixteen were noted outside of the MCP. In the total FEI testing picture, detection of substances acting on the locomotion system (i.e. analgesics, corticosteroids, local anesthetics) was reported 24 times, respiratory substances 2, sedation 4, and doping category substances (e.g. reserpine, testosterone) 3 times; morphine was reported once and clanobutin twice. At the moment, medication class A and B substances are being followed up through the fast track system; doping category substances or repeat offenders require a full hearing. MEDICATION ADVISORY GROUP (MAG) UPDATE The MAG, which was installed as a working group on medication, has made a great effort to move the issue of the medicine box and its detection times forward. The FEI, in its follow up of Task Force decisions, seeks screening limits of detection (SLODs) for a list of substances which is partly the same as for Racing, but not a complete overlap. In the latest meeting on 5 October, the MAG made progress by deciding on four substances for a detection time (1 corticosteroid, 1 local anesthetic, 1 respiratory agent and 1 substance for colic treatment). This brings the total number of detection times for substances in the Medicine Box to 12 and means that only two substances remain for a decision. EQUINE INFLUENZA Around 15 August 2007, it became clear that equine influenza outbreaks had surfaced in Japan and Australia. JPN is a country which is not considered as free from the disease and regular vaccination of the indigenous horse population is regulated. AUS is one of the few countries free from EI and no vaccination takes place (horses participating in FEI events are normally being vaccinated). The disease spread very quickly into the states of New South Wales and Queensland. The state of Victoria remains free from disease at the moment. The AUS authorities are attempting to contain the EI outbreak by a process of movement restrictions. Horse movement was brought to a standstill and competition or breeding activities were stopped. The movement restrictions have had a devastating impact of competition activities (horseracing and FEI) and equine veterinary clinics. Olympic qualifiers also had to be cancelled. Ring vaccination is scheduled now around infected areas. A comparison of the virus strains that have surfaced in JPN and AUS is essential; not only to verify how the disease may have slipped through the impressive AUS quarantine system, but more so to discuss whether the current EI vaccines provide sufficient protection for these virus strains, in case horses from the EU or North America come into contact with the disease. FOOTING RESEARCH PROPOSAL A study project, designed with the recent problems experienced by the FEI in terms of footing (i.e. competition surfaces) in mind was submitted by the veterinary universities of Zürich, Uppsala, and Utrecht. It is particularly relevant to Dressage and Jumping. An improved – more scientific and standardised – methodology to evaluate competition surfaces on site will be one of its key outcomes. HYPERSENSITATION The protocol for thermography and clinical examination of lower limbs was approved; consensus on abnormal sensitivity will lead to elimination.