THE Irish Equine Centre (IEC) and French animal health unit LABÉO celebrated their commercial twinning with a lunch held at the IEC this week. Guests included Minister Martin Heydon.

IEC chief executive Debbie Grey said: “The signing of this understanding has been long in the making as the IEC and LABÉO have worked together on numerous projects and research papers and continued inter-laboratory comparisons, particularly in the virology and clinical pathology disciplines.”

The ties between Irish and French bloodstock, breeding and racing are ever-increasing, Grey said.

“Both organisations agree that the efficacy of twinning relies on the human relationships, and we have therefore fostered an open working relationship that is based on exploring new ideas, approaching science and practice with curiosity and embracing the spirit of collaboration, which has practical benefits to both our national and pan-European horse industries.”