CALL FROM THE GERMAN EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION (FN)
to its member breeding associations
Invitation to take part in the EFSA survey on horse breeding practices
Dear Sir or Madam,
As part of the EU’s ‘From Farm to Fork’ strategy, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is preparing a scientific opinion on the welfare of horses.
The expertise of you and your members can contribute to shaping future animal welfare regulations in the EU.
We would like to cordially invite you to take part in the current survey and share your experiences and data on the topics of horse breeding, foaling conditions and Caslick procedures in mares.
The deadline for the initial submission via the EU survey is 15 July 2025; data should be submitted via Portalino by 23 July 2025.
Completing the questionnaire is quick and easy.
Below you will find detailed instructions on how to proceed, as well as the link to the survey.
CALL FOR DATA: Horse Breeding Practices
EFSA Initiative
Deadline for completing the EU survey: 15 July 2025
Deadline for data submission via Portalino: 23 July 2025
As part of the EU’s ‘From Farm to Fork’ strategy, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is preparing a scientific opinion on the welfare of horses – and your contribution is crucial. This call for data supports EFSA’s risk assessment of animal welfare issues related to breeding and contributes to the future of EU animal welfare legislation.
What EFSA needs
EFSA is calling on stakeholders (e.g. breeders, vets, researchers, authorities) to provide documented data – published or unpublished – on the following topics: practices in horse breeding, foaling facilities and conditions, and Caslick procedures in mares.
How to contribute
Interested parties and stakeholders should express their interest in submitting data exclusively via this EU survey questionnaire, in two simple steps:
STEP 1: Submitting the EU survey (deadline: 15 July 2025)
Answer the questions in sections 1 to 4 and submit the form.
Once you have successfully submitted the questionnaire, you should receive an email within seven days containing a PDF file with your submitted answers. Please confirm receipt of this email and ensure that you download and save the PDF file, which is required for the official data submission via Portalino.
Link to the survey: Answer the Survey
STEP 2: Data submission via Portalino (deadline: 23 July 2025)
Instructions for submitting data via Portalino will be sent by email within 7 days of submitting your responses to the EU survey. Please note that registration for the Portalino tool may take a few days. Please bear this in mind with regard to the deadline for data submission.
STEP 3: Pass this on to members!
If you need help completing the EU survey or have specific questions regarding submission, please contact RAL@efsa.europa.eu with the subject line ‘Call for data – horse breeding practices’.
Photo: Janne Bugtrup
