NEWS
NEWC'S ONGOING WORK
COMPENDIUM
To date almost 8000 copies of the Equine Welfare Guidelines Compendium have been distributed including distribution to Vet Clinics, County Councils, Universities and Colleges, Veterinary schools, Solicitors, Breed Societies and many other individuals working with equines and of course the general public.
Five Veterinary Schools have agreed to distribute the Compendium to their undergraduate students as core welfare material, including the Liverpool University Vet School where the distinguished Dr Derek Knottenbelt made this comment
“When we issued the Compendium to our students, I could see they weren’t THAT thrilled to have yet another ‘thing to read’, but within hours they were discussing, commenting and thinking about the issues it raises. They and I believe it is essential reading for undergraduates and it is a constant reference source for qualified vets also!”
The equine colleges have shown similar enthusiasm.
ANIMAL WELFARE NETWORK- WALES
Rebecca Evans and Nicolas de Brauwere attend a further meeting in Cardiff of the AWNW working group that is exploring the possible ways in which animal welfare can be better protected when animals are taken in to what would commonly be considered a Sanctuary. Expert opinion was obtained from Mike Radford of Aberdeen University. The group explored possible ways in which a regulatory system could work that would protect animal welfare without suffocating the very valuable work done by organisations large and small across Wales when vulnerable animals are taken into care. Possible ways of accurately defining sanctuaries was a key aspect of this meeting as was the possible systems that could be used that would have a workable and enforceable system that wouldn’t be too costly to run or comply with.
The group will shortly announce a series of dates and venues where members of the AWNW (free to join if you meet their criteria – see: http://www.awnwales.org ) and others who have an interest in the issue, can come and give their views on the merits, challenges and other relevant aspects of any possible regulatory scheme. These ‘evidence gathering’ sessions will complement any written submissions that can be made to the group in the coming months. A series of questions will be drafted to determine people’s views on the issue. It is vital that NEWC members participate in this process since we cannot assume that everyone supports the proposals or the form they could take. NEWC is represented on the working group itself but we are keen that our individual members make their views known. NEWC is very keen that equine sanctuaries are all run to a standard that ensures full compliance with the Animal Welfare Acts, if not beyond. However, in a world with ever more burdensome regulation it is important that we understand people’s thoughts on what is appropriate whilst at the same time ensuring equine sanctuaries do not let their charges down. More on the subject as the group’s work continues…..
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NEWC’S STATEMENT ON EQUINE INFECTIOUS ANAEMIA
Click here for more information.
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NEWC LAUNCH 3RD EDITION OF EQUINE INDUSTRY WELFARE GUIDELINES COMPENDIUM 2009
To read the Press Release click here.
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NEWC’S RESPONSE TO GROWING CONCERNS FOR EQUINE WELFARE
‘Responsible Re-homing’ and ‘Cutting Cost without Compromising on Welfare’ are two leaflets that have been produced by NEWC in response to the high number of requests for help that our members are receiving from horse owners struggling financially across the UK. The leaflets have been produced as a result of collaboration between members of the National Equine Welfare Council.
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BHIC'S RESPONSE TO DEFRA'S PROPOSED LEVY ON HORSE OWNERS
Press Release: proposals for Responsibility and Cost Sharing
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INTRODUCING OUR NEW MANAGEMENT BOARD TEAM
We are delighted to announce that Nicolas De Brauwere, who is a senior vet and Head of Welfare, Rehabilitation and Education at Redwings Horse Sanctuary, takes the reins this year as Chairman of the Management Board, while Rebecca Evans, Equine Welfare & Grants Manager, from The Horse Trust has been appointed Vice Chairman. We are also pleased to welcome Lee Hackett who is Senior Executive, Welfare at The British Horse Society as a new member of the Board. Find out more about our new Management Board here.
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EQUINE INDUSTRY WELFARE GUIDELINES COMPENDIUM 2009
The third edition has been launched at the BEVA Congress in September and extensive work has been undertaken to update the Compendium to take account of changes to legislation, scientific advances and developements in current equine practices. The Compendium offers more detailed advice, covers areas which are not included in the Codes of Practice, and sets as its standard that which has been generally agreed within the equine industry as a good, yet widely achievable standard.
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YOU CAN STOP THE SUFFERING
A Written Declaration has been tabled in the European Parliament calling for an urgent review of the Regulation which governs the transport of horses to slaughter.
At least half of all MEPs must sign this Declaration before 21st January 2010. If this is achieved, then our voice in Europe will become stronger and we will be a step closer to ending these journeys for good. However if the Declaration is not supported by 50% of MEPs it will fall, weakening the case for new laws to stop these cruel and unnecessary journeys and helping those who oppose better welfare conditions for these horses.
Please contact your MEPs, asking them to sign Written Declaration 54/2009, and ask your friends in Europe and the UK to do the same. To download a template letter (available in all European languages) and to see who has already signed, please visit www.worldhorsewelfare.org/takeaction
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NATIONAL EQUINE WELFARE PROTOCOL - UPDATE September 2008
Following the large equine welfare case centred on Amersham the Princess Royal called together a meeting of the main organisations involved to see what improvements could be made to the handling of equine welfare problems in this country. The review was chaired by Major General Robert Gordon CMG, CBE and produced the National Equine Welfare Protocol on how welfare problems could be better handled in the future. Most of the leading welfare charities are signatories to the Protocol, as are the police and government, and they have agreed to work more closely together in the future. But, as always, it is easier to agree what needs to be done, than to actually arrange to do it. Read More >>_________________________________________________________
National Equine Welfare Protocol is launched by HRH The Princess Royal. Click here to read the Press Release. Click here to download a copy of The Protocol
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Defra/AHT/BEVA equine quarterly disease surveillance report.
The report covering the period January - March 2008 is now available. To view all reports or to receive information direct, please click here.
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NEWC member Bransby Home of Rest for Horses awarded the Lexington Insurance Voluntary Service Award at the Animal Health Trust Equestrian Awards for their excellent services in providing horses, ponies, donkeys and mules with a safe, permanent refuge. The award was accepted by Peter Hunt, Honorary Secretary and founder of Bransby.Bransby Home of Rest for Horses - Homepage
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NEWC Vice President, Dr Elisabeth Svendsen, receives British Equine Veterinary Association Equine Welfare Award sponsored by Blue Cross which was presented at the BEVA Annual Congress 2007.
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Animal Welfare Delivery Strategy (AWDS) for England. Defra announces the publication of the Animal Welfare Delivery Strategy (AWDS) for England. The AWDS builds on the principles set out in the 2004 Great Britain Animal Health and Welfare Strategy and is consistent with the new Animal Welfare Act. The strategy has been developed with the help of external advisers and responds to requests from animal interest groups for more detailed information on the Government's priorities in this area.
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Emergency Services Protocol NEWC members work together. BHS, BEVA, RSPCA, The Horse Trust and ILPH have worked together with Chief Fire Officers Association and Association of Chief Police Officers on the protocol which will be delivered later this month to the police and fire and rescue services. Click here for more information
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Animal Welfare Act came into force in England - 6th April 2007
The new Animal Welfare Act came into force on April 6th in England and 27th March in Wales. Click here for more details
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Animal Welfare Act - Latest from Defra - 4th April 2007
Information on the following subjects can be found on the Defra website - Information for Local Authorities; Who enforces the Act?; Statement of Intent; Secondary legislation, including licensing regimes; Enforcement powers under the Act; Additional questions and links.
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Extension of the Act to the Highland Region and Islands of Scotland
With effect from 30 March 2007 all those practising farriery in Scotland will need to be registered with the Farriers Registration Council (FRC). For more details please click here
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The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 2006.
From 5 January 2007, a new Regulation on the protection of animals during transport applies across the European Union (EU). For details of the implications for people transporting horses please click here
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The latest Defra/AHT/BEVA Equine Quarterly Disease Surveillance Report covering the period July to September 2006 has just been uploaded onto the Animal Health Trust website. To view this report , please click here
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Animal Welfare Act
The Animal Welfare Bill received Royal Assent on 8th November 2006 and is now officially the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
It will come into effect on 1 April 2007 in England, as far as we are aware, and at the same time or a little later in Wales.
Equine welfare organisations welcome this legislation which contains a 'Duty of Care' for all animal owners.
The key elements of the Act can be found on our current issues page
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Industry Workshops on the Welfare of Animals during Transport regulations
On behalf of Defra's Animal Welfare Division, ADAS is running the above advisory campaign for livestock hauliers, veterinary surgeons and the allied industries by holding a series of workshops nationwide. Click here for more information
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Site last updated: 3rd March 2010
