The themes are diverse and varied for the Syndicate of Trainers, Drivers and Trotting Jockeys (SEDJ). Its president, Stéphane Meunier, is active on the day-to-day issues of the sector in order to best defend its interests. “The last concerns access to agglomerations, explains the elected official. This fall, a decree on the ZFE (low emission zone) could prohibit us from going to the racecourses of Paris-Vincennes and Auteuil, with trucks dating back more than three years. »
For the moment, it is the Parisian racetracks that risk being the most impacted by these decisions, but the problem could extend to many municipalities. By 2025, 43 cities with more than 150,000 inhabitants will have to implement this measure. “We must remain vigilant and enter into the discussions quickly so as not to be forgotten by the municipalities which have a racetrack on their territory”, assures Stéphane Meunier.
The deployment of these zones aims to prohibit access to cities for the most polluting vehicles. Automated checks are already planned for the second half of 2024. As of January 1, 2023, eleven cities have already deployed these zones, including the capital. “With our colleagues from the equestrian centers, we are going to meet the project manager for the city of Paris to obtain exemptions for the entire sector. »
The president of the union wants to be reassuring on the subject but hopes for rapid progress to avoid complicated situations. “There is obviously the risk of fines”, concludes the person concerned, while fearing a punchy day which would make it impossible to transport the horses to the racetracks.