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Update: 13th May 2008
Aim 1: Review health and welfare standards
Aim 1a: NEWC & Redwings
Achieved or on-going
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Letters sent to over 80 NEWC & non-NEWC members, mainly breed societies, requesting information on stand alone Welfare Statements or statements in governing documents. Initial responses requested by end of April. Second wave of letters to mainly sporting disciplines and follow up contacts with first wave recipients to go out by mid May
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UK and International Codes currently being collected in preparation for comparison
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Existing welfare documents & codes of practice being collected by NEWC as part of the Compendium revision
Planned
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Report on questionnaire findings following response analysis
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Draft Welfare Statement according to responses above
AIM 1c: BEVA
Achieved or on-going
- BEVA have undertaken a survey of its member practices to assess current euthanasia practices and to establish the extent of “carcass dumping” in the UK. This faxback survey went out in the May Newsletter to all BEVA members
Planned
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The data will be correlated over the next three months and will reported back to EHWS
Aim 2: Review health surveillance arrangements
Achieved or on-going
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The AHT/CEM lab surveillance reports are being published quarterly in the Vet Record (see VR10th May 2007). Written by Richard Newton MRCVS at the AHT, they correlate data from over 12 regional laboratories in the UK, commercial and practice laboratories, all approved under the CEM scheme to ensure quality control. The report correlates data for infectious disease cases throughout the UK and is an excellent review of the current disease status in the UK
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Other disease surveillance projects are in the pipeline and will be reported to the committee in due course
Planned
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The WHW (ILPH) web survey on livery yards is about to be launched. This is the beginning of the long road to livery yard inspection. BEVA are integral in taking this project forward and disease surveillance will be incorporated
Aim 3: Review horse welfare observation arrangements
Achieved or on-going
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Research proposal for welfare assessment study was submitted to Writtle College for marking on 18th April 2008. A copy of the proposal can be obtained from NEWC or Liane Crowther by e-mail liane@horsetrust.org.uk
Planned
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A review of welfare data recorded by the World Horse Welfare will be undertaken by LC in May 2008
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2,000 welfare assessment questionnaires will be distributed throughout the equine industry in May/June 2008
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A panel with expertise in equine welfare assessment will meet at the Horse Trust in July 2008
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The assessment methodology will be developed and tested by November 2008 and the results of the study should be available from February 2009
Aim 4: Review methods of horse identification
Achieved
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Monitoring of new legislation re the identification of equines
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Responding to EU proposed regulations on the identification of horses
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Meeting held with the National Equine Database (11/12/07) to further the promotion of the recording of information on all horses on the National Equine Database
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Member of Passport Steering Group since its inception- the purpose of this Defra-instigated small group is to provide the industry with the opportunity to advise and guide Defra on policy implementation and maters relating to equine identification
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Attendance at “Implementation of the Regulation on the Identification of Equidae – Consultative Workshops”
Planned
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Arrange meeting with members of the Equine Insurance Industry to promote the application of permanent physical identification for all horses
Aim 5: Review medicines, needs and availability
No Report Made
Aim 6: Review education, skills & training
Achieved or on-going
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Job Profiles produced for the equine industry with emphasis placed on equine health & welfare and the duty of care. These were out for consultation during April and May and will provide information on the skills priority for working roles throughout the industry
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NVQ Level 3 Horsecare workbook review underway with health & welfare content to be updated and strengthened
Planned
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Draft letter produced for distribution to all colleges and training providers in September to encourage promotion of the requirements of the new welfare legislation and to request a statement of support for the strategy
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Draft letter to awarding bodies with equine provision to encourage promotion of the new welfare legislation and to request a statement of support for the strategy
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Equine event in Scotland to include promotion of Equine Health & Welfare Strategy, working date of summer 08
Aim 7: Review research requirements
Achieved or on-going
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A list of all UK grant providers has been compiled. Information gathered for each organisation includes contact details, type of research funded, eligibility for funding and application deadlines
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Published research is available directly from the publisher or through scientific journal databases. A list of all the databases that contain veterinary research has been compiled
Planned
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Identify a way to record all data in one location and keep data updated
