Uncertainty hangs over the future of blood mare farming in Iceland as the authority MAST awaits further explanations from the company Ísteka before making a decision on its license application. Hrönn Jörundsdóttir, the director of MAST, indicated that the company’s previous permit for blood collection from pregnant mares expired in October 2025 and underscores the importance of adhering to regulations regarding animal welfare and scientific practice.

A committee examining animal welfare could not reach a unanimous conclusion regarding Ísteka's request for permission to continue its blood collection activities. While two committee representatives provided positive feedback, two others offered negative opinions, and the committee's chair stated that the explanations for the societal benefits presented by Ísteka were insufficient. This ambivalence reflects broader concerns about the ethical implications surrounding the practice of blood collection from pregnant mares and its legitimacy within the European Union's regulatory framework.

The European Economic Area (EEA) has previously cautioned Iceland regarding non-compliance with EEA regulations related to this practice. In 2023, the ESA emphasized that Iceland was not applying EEA rules correctly in relation to other activities in the same sector, leading to government confirmations of the need for stricter adherence to established guidelines. This ongoing situation highlights the delicate balance between industry interests and animal welfare, as well as the implications for Iceland's standing in compliance with international standards.