October 2025
FEEVA GA October 2025, France
Lyon, France
On 22 October 2025, FEEVA held its annual General Assembly in Lyon, France, hosted by the French Equine Veterinary Association (AVEF). Chaired by President Joe Collins, the meeting gathered delegates and guests from across Europe for a productive day of discussions on equine health, welfare, medicines, and EU policy developments.
Joe Collins opened the Assembly by thanking AVEF for their hospitality, followed by a warm welcome from AVEF President Hameline Virevialle, who shared insights into AVEF’s work and invited attendees to the upcoming AVEF Congress. Distinguished guests, including Tracy Turner (AAEP), Volker Moser (UEVP), Göran Åkerström (FEI), Eirini Polygerou (IVSA), and FVE representatives Nancy De Briyne and Mette Uldahl, presented updates on international collaboration, welfare, and European veterinary legislation.
Reports from FEEVA’s Working Groups highlighted major achievements, including updates on disease surveillance, welfare, and pre-purchase examinations. Two new position papers—on oral examination and cervical radiography during PPEs—were unanimously adopted, and the Equine Section of the Slovenian Veterinary Chamber was welcomed as a new member.
Katja Hautala (Finland) and Mirela Tripon (Romania) were elected to the Board, with Andrea Brignolo (Italy) confirmed for another term as Treasurer. FEEVA congratulates the new members and extends heartfelt thanks to Anette Graf and Lucjan Witkowski for their outstanding service over four years on the Board.
The meeting concluded with the announcement by Imogen Burrows (BEVA President) that the next FEEVA General Assembly will be held on 9 September 2026 in Birmingham, UK, alongside the BEVA Annual Congress.
FEEVA sincerely thanks AVEF for hosting and Boehringer Ingelheim for supporting the meeting.
Full minutes and presentations will be available soon.
October 2024
FEEVA GA October 2024, Portugal
Lisbon , Portugal
On October 24th, FEEVA held its General Assembly in the beautiful city of Lisbon, Portugal, with 38 delegates, guests, and speakers in attendance. President Heidi Kellokoski-Kiiskinen opened the meeting by thanking the Portuguese Equine Veterinary Association (APMVE) and the Portuguese Equestrian Society for hosting the event, and warmly welcomed distinguished guests, including representatives from AAEP, FEI, UEVP, FVE, EHN, IVSA, as well as a video message from MEP Hilde Vautmans. Apologies and proxies were noted, and the quorum was confirmed with 18 country representatives present.
The Assembly included updates from partner organizations and reports from FEEVA working groups. Key topics covered included equine health surveillance, prepurchase examinations, medicines, welfare, collaboration with farriers, and the importance of maintaining a Social Licence to Operate. Financial reports for 2023, a rolling statement, and the 2025 budget were presented and approved. Delegates also unanimously adopted two position papers on Equine Dentistry and Behaviour and Training of Animals, reinforcing FEEVA’s commitment to high standards in equine care.
An updated version of FEEVA’s statutes was approved, reflecting the federation’s evolving structure and clarifying procedures for countries with multiple member associations. The board elections saw Joe Collins (Ireland) elected as FEEVA President, Michael Köhler (Germany) joining as a new board member, and Andrea Brignolo continuing as Treasurer. Outgoing President Heidi Kellokoski-Kiiskinen was warmly thanked for her exceptional contributions to FEEVA over the past five years.
The Assembly concluded with announcements about the next General Assembly, which will take place in Lyon, France, on October 22nd, 2025, in conjunction with the AVEF annual congress. The meeting was closed with thanks to all participants and best wishes for the continued advancement of equine veterinary care across Europe.
October 2023
FEEVA GA October 2023, Warsaw
Warsaw, Poland
On October 11th, the FEEVA General Assembly was held in Warsaw, Poland, and graciously hosted by the Polish Equine Veterinary Association (PEVA) and the Warsaw Jockey Club. The gathering saw the participation of 32 individuals, including member association delegates, board members, guests, and speakers. The event commenced with engaging presentations from various esteemed guests, including representatives from UEVP, FVE, EHN, IVSA, and FEI, along with a dedicated video message from the president of AAEP.
FEEVA is delighted to announce the admission of two new association members, extending a warm congratulations to the Croatian Veterinary Chamber and the Irish Equine Veterinary Association. The meeting also featured presentations on FEEVA's working group activities by their respective chairs, and the unanimous approval of a FEEVA position paper focusing on the Management and Control of Horse Welfare in Equestrian Sport.
During the General Assembly, there were lively and productive discussions, particularly regarding ongoing issues related to the Veterinary Regulation's guidelines for the use of medicines as per their SPC. Furthermore, plans for a campaign to enhance awareness and knowledge about African Horse Sickness in 2024 were solidified.
Additionally, a special session on dentistry featured interactive discussions about dentistry regulations in the different member associations' countries, further enhancing the depth of the assembly's discussions.
It's worth noting that the FEEVA General Assembly admitted two new member associations, representing Ireland and Croatia, which has significantly expanded its membership base. Additionally, two new board members, Lucy Grieve from the UK and Joe Collins from Ireland, were elected during the assembly.
October 2022
FEEVA GA October 2022 Rome
Rome, Italy
On 27th October 2022, the FEEVA General Assembly took place at the Ergife Palace Hotel in Rome, Italy, with 31 participants representing 16 European Equine Veterinary Associations, as well as UEVP, FEI, and FVE. President Julius Peters welcomed all delegates and special guests, including Huw Griffiths (UK), Karen E. Wolfsdorf (US), and representatives from FEI, UEVP, and FVE. Apologies were noted from Belgium, Norway, Romania, and Switzerland. Rodolfo Gialetti, SIVE President, welcomed participants and invited them to the SIVE Congress and the Internal Medicine Congress.
The meeting included updates from FEEVA Working Groups. Donald Collins presented the Disease Surveillance WG, focusing on education campaigns and proactive disease monitoring. Andrea Brignolo gave an update on the Medicines WG, covering EU veterinary regulations and the use of phenylbutazone. Anette Graf presented the Horse Welfare WG, highlighting ongoing projects on animal behaviour and training, the rewilding project, and EU monitoring activities.
Partner organizations shared updates as well: Mette Uldahl (FVE) discussed EU veterinary regulations, animal welfare, and the FVE Diversity, Equity & Inclusiveness Campaign. Caterina Termine (FEI) presented FEI initiatives on equine welfare, infectious disease control, and education, including upcoming biosecurity training. Giovanbattista Guadagnini (UEVP) highlighted FEEVA’s contribution as a member.
Key presentations included Karen Wolfsdorf on “Changes in Equine Reproduction,” discussing assisted reproduction, fertility management, and mare welfare, and Huw Griffiths on “Recruitment and Retention in the Equine Veterinary Profession,” highlighting workload, salaries, CPD, student engagement, and strategies for work-life balance.
FEEVA activities, including the Quality of Equine Education analysis and charitable support for horses in Ukraine, were presented, followed by financial updates from Treasurer Andrea Brignolo, showing a positive balance for 2021.
The Assembly concluded with thanks to all speakers, delegates, and guests, and special acknowledgement to SIVE for hosting an engaging congress with excellent networking opportunities. Julius Peters closed the meeting, wishing everyone a pleasant stay in Rome.
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