BLOODSTOCK DESK: Demise of Animal Health Trust would be a tragedy; European Breeders' Fund chief executive Sam Sheppard on why the AHT is so vital.

Byline: SAM SHEPPARD Newmarket

THE PROSPECT of the demolition of vital elements of the Animal Health Trust (Bloodstock Desk, November 17) is extremely serious for the racing and breeding industries.

In good, disease-free days, virology, bacteriology, pathology, epidemiology, etc, tend to be treated by the horse world as investigations undertaken and understood by veterinarians and researchers. But, when any equine disease outbreak occurs, they are looked on as absolutely vital in the fight against spread of the disease, and an eventual cure or preventative measure.

It is not in doubt that there will be another horrifying disease outbreak - remember CEM, EVA , EHV in its paralytic form, etc? And where will the racing and breeding industry be without the real expertise and assistance of the AHT?

With their futures in doubt, well-known experts in their specialist fields will be seeking positions elsewhere, thus breaking up a formidable team, built up over years.

It will be a tragedy if someone, somewhere, does not get to grips with a rapidly deteriorating situation before it is too late.