Representatives from the equine industry travelled to Brussels last week to raise concerns about diseases and research.

Vicky Ford, MEP for the East of England, met members of the European Horse Network in the European Parliament.

The group included representatives from the Thoroughbred Breeders Association, the Norfolk based charity World Horse Welfare (WHW) and leading equine vet Professor Josh Slater from the Royal Veterinary College. This expert group described how important it is to continue research into areas such as equine diseases and the benefits if such research can happen at an international level. Mrs Ford sits on the Parliaments Research committee which is scrutinising plans for an 80 billion euro investment in science and research to be made over the next seven years. She backed the recommendation by a representative of the European Commission that researchers into equine diseases should look at accessing research funds targeted at small and medium sized businesses as well as funds for the EU's science and research budget.

The group also discussed problems such as delays in getting drugs and vaccines authorised across different countries and recommended that it might be better to look at a universal single European approval such as that already used for human pharmaceutical products. One example of this was the West Nile Fever vaccine.

Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Ford commented: "People should not underestimate the value of the equine businesses to the rural economy in the East of England. It is absolutely vital that we continue to invest in proper research for animal health, which will bring long-term economic benefits back to the region."