TCO2 Update – 8th October 2021
The IHRA are pleased to inform all members that over the past number of weeks, some directors have worked closely with members of the Veterinary Welfare Commission on further developing the industry’s ruling, processes, and procedures on TCO2 testing.
The board are fully aware that the introduction of this new testing regime has not come without its issues, but the IHRA are very confident of the proposed new amendment which have been put together with the aid of best practices from our international partners (Australia/France). These new measures will be finalised in the coming weeks.
TCO2 testing will remain in place for the remainder of the 2021 season but from this weekend, the VWC has procured an additional independent medical blood analyser which will be used in tandem with the association’s own devices. The resulting analysis from this weekend’s racing fixture at Portmarnock as well as all past results from the 2021 season will then be discussed at a joint IHRA board and VWC meeting which is scheduled to take place next week, ahead of the finalising of the new amended rules for TCO2 going forward. This will be the first face to face meeting held between the IHRA board and the VWC since the Covid 19 restrictions came into force and we look forward to building on the ground-breaking integrity measures carried out in 2021 with a particular emphasis on our pre- race sampling.
Furthermore, the IHRA board, in agreement with both the VWC Chairperson and committee will introduce a new external veterinary practice which will be engaged in all fixtures as well as the rollout of a new cartilage for our blood analysers. Both measures will be come into effect from next weekend.
All members will receive the new amendments to TCO2 testing once completed.
