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Welfare News

To contact your local Welfare representative see the Committee pages

Northamptonshire Welfare Report Spring 2008 - Ruth Court
Although I cannot discuss individual cases, I am happy to report that just two cases have been reported to me over the winter period. Each case was dealt with successfully with the help & support of the RSPCA.

I am now assisting the Blue Cross with visiting & onitoring horses and ponies re-homed by them in Northamptonshire. I continue to believe it is important to forge strong links with and work alongside other welfare organizations.

A date has been booked for the yard fire safety talk (16/04/08) at Moulton College. Separate invitations will go out to local yards – any further suggestions would be appreciated.

To conclude, I am very happy to report that money raised by Moulton College students has enabled us to purchase vital equipment for the Specialist Rescue Vehicle attached to Northants Fire & Rescue service, so a very big THANK YOU to all concerned
 
Thinking of loaning a horse? Read our sample loan agreement
 

Animal Welfare Act 2006 This act is a major overhaul of existing legislation and applies to all vertebrate animals. The main points can be summarised as follows:
The new legislation enables intervention from enforcers before a horse suffers, whereas before it was not possible to prosecute until after an equine had suffered.
A welfare offence is a new offence for failing to do all that is reasonable to ensure the welfare of an animal for which you are responsible.
Loopholes in previous legislation that enabled those who were disqualified from keeping animals to continue owning, keeping or having an influence over the care of animals have been removed.
Livery yards are to be made subject to licensing requiring registration and inspection although no date has been set for the implementation of this. Under 16’s can no longer buy or receive animals without parental consent. Responsibility for an animal where appropriate now extends to the adult e.g the parents of a child who owns a pony.

 
The Welfare of Animals During Transport Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 New transport regulations came into force on 5th January 2007, with the aim of improving the welfare of animals during transportation and to bring consistency across Europe.
Will the regulations affect you?
NOT IF: The transport is not in connection with an economic activity
               Transport is to or from veterinary practices or under veterinary advice
When an individual horse is transported by its owner or other responsible person
Horses transported to competitions or shows for pleasure
What is economic activity?  Any transport of animals undertaken as part of a business or commercial activity, which aims at achieving financial gain, examples being commercial hauliers or those who move horses in connection with professional riding or livery.
From 5th January 2008 the regulation requires mandatory certification of competence for the transport of horses over 65kms in connection with an economic activity. The transporter or attendant must have received appropriate training and hold a certificate of competence.
More information on the new legislation can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare or you can contact me for a printed summary sheet from the BHS
 
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