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Citaat:

2 THE FULL REASONING OF THE CASE
2.1 2A. Science of Demecolcine
2.2 Demecolcine and Colchicine are both metabolites of the flower Colchicum Autumnale - Autumn Crocus. Demecolcine is also an alkaloid being one of the active substances in the Autumn Crocus. The alkaloids of the Autumn Crocus all are very toxic, wherefore it is unlikely that any horse would be treated with such a toxic substance.

2.3 Demecolcine is not a pharmaceutical, but in human medicine the substance is used for tumour therapy. There is no know use for Demecolcine in veterinary medicine.

2.4 The FEI has previously had several cases with Demecolcine1, originating from the ingestion of the Autumn Crocus. These cases have been from the Alp regions of Switzerland, Austria and Germany, where this plant typically grows. All the samples in those cases had screening traces of Colchicine. The case at hand, does also have screening indications for the presence of Colchicine.

2.5 Several scientific articles on Demecolcine show that it seems to be an occurring problem with contamination of Autumn Crocus in certain parts of Central Europe, especially in the Alp region. Some extract of those articles below. (Exhibit 2)

2.6 “Colchicum autumnale (Colchicaceae) is a geophyte native to Central Europe. Its English name ‘‘autumn crocus’’ refers to its flowering time in autumn, whereas the leaves and capsules appear above the ground surface in the following April. The plant remains underground during the winter (November until March) and summer (July) dormancy periods. C. autumnale has to allocate and store photoassimilates during a short period from April to June, which have to support it for the rest of the year. It is able to reproduce generatively by seeds, and clonally by building an additional corm. Seed ripening takes place in June; therefore hay production facilitates the seed dispersal as the hay is repeatedly turned over.
The main toxic substances of C. autumnale are the alkaloids Colchicine and Colchicein, which inhibit cell division, act as a strong capillary toxin and paralyse peripheral nerve endings. All plant parts are toxic, the highest concentrations though can be found in the seeds and flowers. C. autumnale is declining at its geographical distribution limits in Belgium and Ireland but has recently reached critical population densities in parts of Austrian and German grasslands. Cases of intoxication of cattle and horses were reported from Austria, Germany and Switzerland. As the toxic components persist in hay and silage, the continuation of the management of these grasslands is endangered.”
2.7 “High densities of Colchicum autumnale may endanger grassland management in Austria. As the toxic components persist in hay and silage, the continuation of the management of these grasslands, which are often characterised by a high biodiversity, is uncertain... Among farmers who sold hay, 48% considered it as problematic. The field survey showed that C. autumnale covers up to 73% of grasslands.”
2.8 Based on the science the FEI concludes that if there is a presence of both Demecolcine and Colchicine in a sample, there is a high likelihood of Autumn Crocus contamination.