Equestrian sports associations turn to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture about GOT

The massive increase in veterinary costs since the GOT amendment in 2022 is one of the factors currently causing major problems for horse owners. An evaluation, i.e. an examination of the GOT amendment and its consequences, is currently underway. However, this evaluation is “neither comprehensive nor realistic”, as the FN emphasizes. On the contrary, it poses “considerable problems for the horse industry”.

Evaluation 2026 by “fathers” of the 2022 amendment

The company AFC Public Services was commissioned with this evaluation – as was the case with the amendment of the GOT in 2022. The company’s website states: “We, AFC Public Services, have accompanied this reform process and were significantly involved in the development of the new fee structure and the adjustment of the service items,” it says.

It also explains how the current investigation is being conducted and that not only the voices of the veterinary profession but also representatives of animal owners’ interest groups are being heard. They are explicitly asked to contact the company if they do not feel sufficiently involved in the process.

Interview with the associations

According to the FN, there have also been discussions with the aforementioned associations in this context. A group interview made it clear how serious the negative effects of the GOT amendment of 2022 would be on the equine sector. The representatives of the commissioned company AFC Services were “visibly surprised by the extent and depth of the problem”. This made it “unmistakably” clear to the associations that the current evaluation falls short, does not examine the consequences for livestock owners and does not answer the central question of how economically viable supply can be ensured for all stakeholders in the long term.

The consequences of the GOT

What surprised the representatives of AFC Public Services so much were the statements made by the association representatives, who described the decline in the number of coverings, the closure of many riding schools “with alarming frequency” and the existential problems faced by horse owners who are asking themselves whether they can still afford their horses. They reported on the killing of horses for economic reasons and the increased number of horses being handed over to emergency stations, such as the horse hatch in Schleswig-Holstein. The fact that veterinary treatment is being postponed more frequently was also discussed. This is a “clear step backwards for animal welfare”.

On the other hand, the veterinary profession itself is losing customers. In addition, many previously owner-managed practices have been transferred to third-party ownership. As a result, a large part of the revenue would no longer benefit veterinary care, but rather corporations.

Demand of the associations

In their letter to Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer, the three major German equestrian sport and breeding associations have now declared:

“As a horse country, Germany has fallen into an unprecedented crisis. Further increases in veterinary fees are unacceptable. Waiting for the results of the non-exhaustive evaluation is unacceptable.”

However, there is also understanding for the other side: “We would like to say one thing up front. Veterinary services must be remunerated appropriately. However, in many places the limit of what we can bear has been reached and exceeded,” said Presidents Prof. Dr. h.c. Martin Richenhagen (Pferdesport Deutschland), Dr. Michael Vesper (Deutscher Galopp) and Peter Weihermüller (Hauptverband für Traberzucht).

No more omissions à la 2022

What the associations want is an extension of the evaluation mandate. A comprehensive analysis is needed to ensure that all sides are taken into account – which, incidentally, is provided for in Section 12 of the Federal Veterinary Code. In 2022, the interests of all stakeholders were not taken into account. “From the industry’s point of view, another failure to do so would not only be factually incorrect, but also politically irresponsible.”

The associations also point out that Germany is the only country in the EU that has a binding scale of fees for veterinary services. “We are calling for the binding nature of the scale of fees to be abolished immediately in order to provide immediate relief for consumers. In our opinion, the remuneration of veterinary services should be a matter for agreement between horse owners and veterinarians,” explain the presidents and continue: “The GOT can provide a guiding, but not binding, framework. This is how it is regulated in Austria, for example.”

In other sectors, such as architects and engineers, non-binding fee structures have also proven their worth in Germany.

Not against each other

The representatives of the associations emphasize the solidarity between the equine sector and the veterinary profession. They are not striving for “opposition”, but rather a “reliable framework that enables both sides to fulfill their responsibility towards animals and humans.”

Federal Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer has been offered a meeting to explain the situation and work out joint solutions.