Following a fortnight of controversy after their announcement of a list of substances that would be allowed in competition, albeit in restricted amounts, the FEI has backtracked on their plan to introduce the list until April 2010 to allow a longer period of research and consultation, H&C has learned.

In a statement, the FEI said that despite the changes being voted in by a majority of 53-48 at the Copenhagen meeting on 19 November, they recognise that the chnage has implications for organisers who must comply and state and international competition rules. There is also an impact on breeders, those concerned with animal welfare and the labs involved in testing for banned substances.

The decision to allow some banned substances, particularly bute, caused strong debate, which has led to the FEI delaying the implementation of the new rules.

“The FEI has been criticized for not providing sufficient time for consultation on the substances that differentiate the new policy from the old and there has also been widespread unease about the late publication of the progressive list,” FEI President HRH Princess Haya said today. “Views that have been expressed since the vote are being taken extremely seriously by the FEI as legitimate welfare concerns and we give similar importance to our membership’s decision to effect a policy change. In light of both these considerations, we felt it was only fair to delay implementation of the new list to allow everyone to have their say and let other veterinary experts look at the science behind this policy change.

“The controversy surrounding the List has almost completely overshadowed the clean sport campaign, which received overwhelming support at the General Assembly. Now we can allow the focus to return to the wonderful work that has been undertaken by the Joint-Commissions chaired by Professor Arne Ljungqvist and Lord Stevens, which has provided a clear roadmap for the delivery of clean sport.”