From 1 March 2025, foals produced with the reproduction techniques OPU (Ovum Pick Up) and ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) can no longer be registered at the Swedish Warmblood Association (SWB), the Swedish studbook announced last week. The decision is based on the Swedish Animal Welfare Act, which does not allow procedures such as OPU and ICSI.
"We want to emphasize that horse welfare always weighs more heavily for SWB than pure commercial interests. We think that a clear ethical compass will be a success factor in the long run," Per Jansson, Chairman of the Board at SWB, commented on SWB's website.
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