Thoroughbred racing vets say no to licensing

Members of Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) based in New South Wales have agreed to work as a group to refuse to be licensed under a resolution passed in February 2012 by the Board of Racing NSW.

“We heard a rumour in February that Racing NSW was going to require all vets treating racehorses in training to be licensed separately with them, in the same way as trainers, jockeys and strappers are currently licensed,” said EVA President, Christine Smith.

“This was soon confirmed by Racing NSW and the resolution was made by its Board before any consultation with vets took place. We were also told that there was no plan to consult with vets about this in the future,” said Christine.

The resolution was that only a veterinarian licensed with Racing NSW would be able to treat a racehorse in training or on race days except in an emergency (the trainer would be subject to discipline if this rule was broken). Veterinarians would be subject to stewards’ investigation, hearings and penalties in the same manner as jockeys and trainers currently are, and investigations of licensed veterinarians would be unilateral with stewards having the right of entry and seizure of electronic and any other records.

“AVA members obviously support the highest levels of integrity in racing, and believe veterinarians not complying with their responsibilities should be disciplined by the appropriate body which is the NSW Veterinary Practitioners’ Board,” said Christine Smith.

“However, members are strongly opposed to the licensing scheme. Veterinarians are already licensed in New South Wales by the Veterinary Practitioners’ Board, and further regulation by racing authorities is not necessary. There is no evidence that a problem exists that is so significant to warrant a second regulatory regime for veterinarians.

“There have also been concerns raised about the confidentiality of medical records, as well as the likelihood of adverse effects on rural and regional racing through vets choosing not to be licensed and being unavailable for local race day services.”

Although discussions were held with the NSW Veterinary Practitioners’ Board, AVA and EVA, Racing NSW was determined to go ahead with the scheme, and presented the proposal to the 15 March meeting of the Australian Racing Board (ARB). It was to be considered as a national rule of racing that would apply in all jurisdictions.

“After raising our concerns in writing with the CEO of the ARB, we were invited to speak at the 15 March ARB meeting. NSW parliamentarian and veterinarian Dr Andrew Cornwall also joined us to speak to the proposal,” said Christine Smith.

“The ARB subsequently agreed to arrange a formal consultation with the AVA and EVA about the proposal which was due to be completed in late April.”

EVA has raised its concerns with country race clubs, as well as ministers in NSW and other states. A comprehensive policy briefing paper from EVA has been distributed to racing ministers as well as the ministers responsible for veterinary registration boards.

An emergency meeting in Sydney for EVA members followed up with an online poll of NSW EVA members to consider the motion

“That we as equine veterinarians are prepared to work as a group to refuse to be licensed by Racing NSW”. The motion was passed by 218 members, with only two voting against it.

“The motion seems to have convinced Racing NSW that members are serious in their opposition to this plan,” said Christine Smith.

“Racing NSW is now prepared to consider alternatives, such as working alongside the Veterinary Practitioners’ Board in relation to investigations and disciplinary action.

“We are waiting for the invitation from the ARB to enter into a formal consultation over whether this proposal should become a national rule of racing. However, based on what we currently know, there doesn’t seem to be a desire for that to happen from most of the jurisdictions represented on the ARB Board.”

Marcia Balzer
National Communications Manager

This story appears in the June 2012 issue of the Australian Veterinary Journal