BREEDERS will be relieved to learn that a year’s supply of the equine herpes vaccine Equip has been placed on the Irish market by pharmaceutical company Zoetis.

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders Associations and the International Thoroughbred Breeders Federation have been in regular contact with the manufacturers since the problems with supply first became evident and came to a head last autumn when a very serious shortage was again experienced for the second successive year.

This created very significant problems in terms of increased vulnerability to abortion and necessitated major revisions to terms and conditions of sale for the thoroughbred auction houses.

This had the potential to have a severe adverse impact on national and international trade. In Germany, where there is a legal requirement for vaccination, there were further profound problems.

ITBA chairman Stephen Collins said: “The misfortune of the abortion storm that visited a very important Newmarket stud farm this spring was the most salutary of reminders of the importance of vaccination. News of the fresh supply of vaccine has brought a huge sigh of relief and is another example of the sterling work being carried out by the ITBA on behalf of all Irish breeders.”