Fédération Equestre Internationale officials have announced a timeline in preparation for the 2010 General Assembly vote on the Equine Prohibited Substances List.

At present, the executive board has created a Congress Committee to lead the debate. It is chaired by First Vice President Sven Holmberg and composed of Second Vice President Chris Hodsdon, Chairman of the Veterinary Committee John McEwen, FEI Veterinary Director Graeme Cooke, Dr. Yves Rossier and Professor Leo Jeffcott.

An FEI List Group is still in the works. The group will review the Equine Prohibited Substances List, particularly NSAIDS. They’ll research whether or not the use of these substances in competition, singly and at specifically prescribed levels, is a threat to horse welfare and whether or not these substances, at specific levels, are performance enhancing.

Timeline:
Mid-April – Available scientific literature will be published online.
Late July – FEI will send out information regarding the policy issue of whether the FEI should allow the restricted use of NSAIDs, provided the levels are limited and are deemed by the List Group not to threaten horse welfare and not to be performance enhancing.
August – FEI Congress on NSAIDs Usage and Medication in the Equine Athlete will take place in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Late August – FEI will begin to consult with National Federations. Proposed medication lists and congress proceedings will be sent to the National Federations.
Early October – Final lists will be sent to National Federations.
Early November – FEI General Assembly will vote on policy. FEI Bureau will approve revised list.
April, 2011 – Revised list will come into effect. 

To facilitate the debate, the FEI will set up a virtual platform open to the global audience. Interested parties will be encouraged to submit their contributions to the debate.