Controversial 'progressive' drugs list consigned to history

The governing body of world equestrian sport has accepted that evidence to date is contradictory on the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in competition and that it could not exclude a welfare threat to horses.

On that basis, its List Group has come up with a drugs list to go before the FEI General Assembly in Chinese Taipei in November which, while allowing use of substances such as phenylbutazone and flunixin between competitions, will not permit any detectable levels in horses competing.

The FEI said the list was developed following last month's FEI Congress in Switzerland.

It said it believed the new list simultaneously respected horse welfare, at the same time ensuring a level playing field.

During its discussions, the List Group, comprising scientists with knowledge of physiology, sports medicine, treatment, pharmacology, laboratory analysis and medication, made a distinction between the use of NSAIDs in competition and their use between competitions.

The only exception to the zero-tolerance proposal is salicylic acid (aspirin). It proposes to raise the current threshold to harmonise it with that of other international regulators.

The FEI said of the key anti-inflammatories used with horses: "The List Group has unanimously concluded that the science available from the few limited studies carried out to date on the use of NSAIDs is contradictory and provides insufficient evidence for allowing levels in competition that are not a potential threat to horse welfare or enhance performance."

The FEI said the new list would allow low doses of phenylbutazone and flunixin between competitions for the well-being of the horse, but only to the extent that the medications will neither be detectable nor affect the performance or welfare of the horse at its next competition. Nor should any levels be detectable at competition time.

The FEI said each of the substances named on the proposed Equine Prohibited Substances List for implementation in 2011 were agreed unanimously by List Group members.

"It was also agreed that there must always be a balance between required rest and medication, ensuring that there is a good approach to management and training, rather than relying on medication to effect a recovery," the FEI said.

The FEI Executive Board reviewed the issues involved and will recommend the adoption of the List Group 2011 Equine Prohibited Substances List by the General Assembly and the Bureau.

It noted that the proposed approach would also have the benefit of being compatible with certain national laws across a number of equestrian nations.

National federations have now received the data needed to make a fully informed choice on whether to accept or reject the proposed 2011 Equine Prohibited Substances List in November.

"If the 2011 list is not approved, the 2010 list presently in effect would remain in use for another year."

The announcement brings to an end the saga around the so-called progressive drugs list sprung late on national federations just before last November's General Assembly in Copenhagen.

The list, which allowed low levels of NSAIDs in horses competing, was narrowly passed, causing an uproar among key equestrian nations which feared an impact on the perception of the sport by the public and sponsors.

The FEI soon accepted that there had been inadequate consultation and backtracked, then reimposed the old zero-tolerance policy.

A process of consultation was put in place in the lead-up to November's General Assembly, including the recent NSAID conference, but this latest announcement consigns the progressive list to history.

The FEI said if the latest proposed list fails to win the support of national federation, the existing zero-tolerance list will remain in place.

The announcement will come as a relief to a number of equestrian nations, including Britain, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, which had voiced major concerns over the progressive list.

Its adoption in November would have raised the potential of a major split in the equestrian world, with some nations going their own way.

The FEI's handling of the progressive drugs list issue last year is at least partly responsible for its president, Princess Haya, facing two European challengers for the top job at the November General Assembly meeting.