The Federal Trade Commission published the Horseracing Safety and Integrity Authority’s Drug Control and Anti-Doping and Drug Control rules sent back to the Federal Register, beginning the public comment period. lasts 14 days. The FTC now has 60 days to approve or reject the proposed rules.
HISA’s draft ADMC rules were initially rejected by the FTC in late 2022 due to ongoing regulatory uncertainties. HISA has returned the rules for review by the FTC following a bipartisan act of Congress addressing constitutional questions raised by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Now that the rules have been resubmitted and posted to the Federal Register, HISA anticipates that their ADMC Program will go into effect on March 27 pending FTC approval.
BloodHorse: Congressmen still urge FTC to block drug rules
The resubmitted rules include some minor modifications from the version submitted in August 2022. A clean version of the proposed rules is now available on Federal Registration and the red-bordered version will be available on the HISA website within the next 48 hours. In its December 2022 order, the FTC said it will review all comments previously posted on the Federal Register, as well as any new or updated comments.
Once implemented, the ADMC Program will be administered and enforced by Horseracing’s Integrity and Welfare Unit. ADMC’s process of developing the rules includes an initial public comment period, extensive discussions and open meetings with industry organizations and individuals, as well as a careful review of more than 200 comments submitted by race participants and the public.
Included in the rule package are the Anti-Doping and Controlled Drug Protocol, Prohibited List, Definition, Arbitration Procedure, Equine Inspection and Investigation Standard, and Equine Laboratory and Accreditation Standard.
HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus said: “Establishment of nationally consistent anti-doping rules in Thoroughbred racing will greatly enhance the safety and integrity of our sport and is a step that many in our industry have long supported.” “The health and safety of our horses is our top concern, and consistent enforcement and effective resolution of rule violations will change the way we protect our equestrian athletes.” We appreciate the input we have received from race participants throughout the development of these rules, and I encourage all participants to continue sharing Share their thoughts with us in the future.”
HISA’s ADMC program will promote and modernize anti-doping practices in sport with components including out-of-competition testing, unified laboratory accreditation, unified results management processes, a set of strong investigative and intelligence departments as well as consistent penalties.
Critics of HISA, including the National Charity and Protection of Horsemen Association and some lawmakers, have called for disapproval of the ADMC Program rules, arguing that there is a potential for confusion and practice. unfair exam.
As HIWU prepares to launch the ADMC Program, the organization will continue to publish and share educational materials with industry stakeholders, available at hiwu.organd will hold meetings with race groups to further educate about the new rules and answer questions.
This press release has been edited by BloodHorse Staff for content and style.
