Gov’t dismisses heads at world-famous stud farms

“In connection with the loss of confidence, on 19 February, 2016, the management boards of both stud farms were dismissed. The reasons for this was, among others: the lack of adequate supervision over the breeding and veterinary supervision of purebred Arabian horses in Janów Podlaski. The effects of the lack of adequate supervision confirmed, among others, circumstances associated with the illness, treatment and euthanasia of the mare Pianissima, which was valued at EUR 3 million,” the Agricultural Property Agency said in a statement.

The death of the mare occured in October 2015, the Agency explained, adding that the record auction sale was achieved for an Arab thoroughbred at Janów Podlaski in August 2015, when the mare Pepita brought in EUR 1.4 million.

The new CEO of the Janów Podlaski is Marek Skomorowski, an economist who is reported to have no experience in stud farms, and an associate of Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro. He replaces Marek Trela, who headed the company for the last 16 years. He told the TVN24 broadcaster that throughout his career he tried to “keep Janów away from politics, but as one can see it comes anyway”.

The annual auctions at the Janów Podlaski farm bring in buyers from all around the world, including the Middle East, where Polish-bred horses fetch a premium. (rg)