Fines up to Dh100,000 proposed for doping in equestrian sports

The Federal National Council (FNC) has discussed a bill on prohibited substances in equestrian sports.

The proposed 14-article legislation, which is under deliberation by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Petroleum, Minerals, Agriculture and Fisheries, aims to set regulations and rules governing equestrian sports and horse racing to put an end to malpractices, ensure fair play in competition and to maintain the welfare of horses.

The bill sets provisions for dealing with a list of prohibited substances in the UAE as per international standards to ensure highest rates of efficiency of preventive strategies. The federal draft law will empower the competent authority to monitor the use and circulation of these illegal items, set up laboratories for testing and analysing these materials, and to take legal action against offenders.

According to the provisions of the bill, these materials will be given to horses for treatment purposes only and will be acquired after permission from the authorities concerned. Violators of the law will face fines ranging from Dh20,000 to Dh100,000, with a provision to raise the fine to Dh500,000 if the offence is committed again within three years.

An offender may be banned from races for up to three years and will have his license revoked during the same period.