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Founded in March 1977, the first meeting of the National Equine Welfare Council was chaired by Captain Elwyn Hartley Edwards. It sought to address the problem of persuading Equine Welfare Organisations to unite in their work and to speak with one voice on matters of concern and importance in the equine world. Unanimity was needed, providing strength to present a common front.
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Starting as a very small acorn, we like to think that we are getting towards being a great oak, having 55 member organisations of all sizes and degrees of importance. Representatives come to our meetings in London from as far afield as Scotland, Ireland (North & South) and Wales. Matters of concern are discussed, experiences exchanged and views aired. It is a meeting not only of organisations, but also of friends. Support is given to member societies as with the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society's plight to get the dreadfully dangerous stretch of road on Black Down fenced.
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NEWC consults with other bodies including DEFRA and comments on proposed legislation concerning solipeds and amendments to existing laws.
The subject of the 2002 Seminar was the government's proposed Animal Welfare Bill.
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Annual Seminars have been held at Wood Green Animal Shelters, ILPH HQ, Blue Cross Field Centre, Home of Rest for Horses
(Featuring the Native Breeds) and the Animal Health Trust. The 1999 Seminar, held for a second time at Wood Green Animal
Shelters, investigated the plight of Horses & Ponies in Sales & Markets. Those attending included Trading Standards Officers,
welfare organisation representatives, MAFF, positive identification companies and representatives of livestock markets.
The proposed consultation promised by MAFF was delayed due to a Government Red Tape initiative but the Farm Animal Welfare
Council has undertaken this consultation on MAFF's behalf and is currently in communication with all members of NEWC on this emotive issue.
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The 2001 Seminar on the Scourge of Ragwort was addressed by Elliot Morley MP and Dr Derek Knottenbelt of Liverpool University and was attended
by welfare organisations, landowners, local authority representatives and members of the public to help them to understand the danger and
exact nature of this poisonous plant and how to deal with removing it and prevent it re-growing.
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NEWC produces a Code of Practice for organisations involved in the keeping of horse, ponies, donkeys, mules and asses and in 2002 published a new expanded version of this Code. Applications for full membership from welfare based organisations are welcomed. Once approved
and accepted, they take pride in belonging to the Council, knowing that it is a hallmark of respectability and gives extra credence to their
work. Other organisations not primarily involved in welfare work, but having welfare as an aim, are welcome to apply for Associate membership.
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The NEWC network is very wide. It is so useful to be able to call on a colleague's local knowledge when trying to solve problems nation-wide.
We believe that the NEWC fulfils a number of useful purposes - not the least of them being the dissemination of knowledge.
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HRH The Princess Royal has spoken of the need of education for the vast number of people without equine knowledge. She has said "We are always going
to need to persuade people that horses are not machines or executive toys. Horses are one of man's oldest friends. Here in Britain, they have never
been better cared for and there has never been more known about them. We must spread this knowledge, plus the knowledge that horses are important for
the souls of men". The NEWC works towards this aim.
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