At its recent meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the FEI Bureau decided to establish a task force to reassess the policies necessary for the elimination of abusive and illegal performance enhancing drugs and to review the general medication control of horses.

The Task Force will be composed of the following members:

Sven Holmberg, Sweden, Chairman
Philip Billington, Great Britain
Breido Zu Rantzau, Great Britain
David Distler, United States
Peter Wylde, United States
Marco Danese, Italy

The preliminary terms of reference for the task force on doping and medication policy have been defined as follows:

1 - Difference between medication and doping (horse welfare vs. performance enhancing)
2 - Definition of illegal substances to be considered, policy and tolerance (unacceptable levels) 3 - Knowledge of pharmacokinetics and screening methods
4 - Lab analysis and legal procedures (steps, length)
5 - Sanctions (length of suspension, money amounts and suspension in case of suspicion)
6 - Communication policy (as quick and transparent as possible)
7 - Role of the FEI legal department, judiciary committee, outside legal counselling, CAS
8 - Crisis management, handling of high profile cases

The task force is asked to analyze the mentioned items, add relevant subjects and formulate proposals on FEI policy on all of the points. Experts in various areas will be consulted by the task force. The national federations and other interested parties will be offered the opportunity to send written submission to the task force.

These policy recommendations ought to be put forward to the Bureau and General Assembly in April 2005. Progress reports will be made to the Executive Board in January and March 2005. Once the policy recommendations have been approved, the taskforce should supervise implementation measures (to be taken by the FEI sports, veterinary and legal departments).

The task force has no role in the current open legal cases which are being managed under the current FEI doping medication rules.