| caliber |
| Site Admin |
 |
| |
| Joined: 15 Jul 2007 |
| Posts: 2832 |
| Location: Paso World |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
U.K. Groups Introduce National Equine Welfare Protocol
by: Edited Press Release
June 12 2008, Article # 12058
Several U.K. equine welfare groups today became signatories to the new National Equine Welfare Protocol.
The protocol sets out guidelines for how cases of equine neglect and abuse should be reported and handled, and what the relevant organizations can do to reduce the incidence of equine welfare problems.
According to a statement released by the Horse Trust, the protocol is designed to communicate the responsibilities of those who own, keep, or interact with horses to prevent cruelty and inadequate care and to address these issues effectively when they arise. It sets out the stakeholders involved and the likely welfare issues. It recognizes the diversity of national and local government and non-governmental organizations involved in the prevention of abuse, provides a framework for their effective cooperation, advises how public concerns can be communicated, and sets out expectations on what can, and cannot, be done when equine abuse is observed or suspected.
The welfare signatories to the document have made seven commitments:
1. To review, within 12 months, the use of Improvement and Care Notices under the 2006 Acts with a view to assessing and, if necessary, increasing their effectiveness.
2. Without inhibiting the ability of organizations, to continue to provide training in their own way and under their own names and will devise and adhere to a common core curriculum for such training, including the development of common assessments as to what may constitute neglect and abuse. The welfare organizations will, within 12 months, confer to identify and fill gaps in the provision of information, education and advice, and identify areas where advice may be conflicting.
3. Seek to communicate effectively and work sensitively and productively with people and organizations which represent the interests of all sections of the equine community with a view to promoting good equine care and husbandry.
4. Ensure the widest possible dissemination of the protocol. In particular, they will give prominence to the information it contains on how concerns over equine welfare can be reported.
5. Recognize and endorse the competence and ability of each other organization, as set out in this protocol, to alleviate equine suffering and will, whenever the situation warrants, seek to act in concert with each other. By the same token, each organization recognizes that certain situations may not be improved by the saturation of uncoordinated effort. Where organizations work collaboratively they will ensure that any public statements made in respect of the case will fairly and accurately reflect the contribution of each.
6. Once legal proceedings are in, train the principal prosecuting authority who will lead on communications with the press. Supporting organizations will not do anything by way of press or public announcements which might prejudice the successful prosecution of the case.
7. Given that the prevention of equine suffering and neglect, and when necessary their rapid remediation, are the paramount considerations, and following on from the preceding commitments, the parties to this agreement will meet once a year in June as a protocol review group to assess the state of equine welfare in the U.K. Where they identify shortcomings they will seek to agree appropriate remedial action. The meetings will be facilitated by the National Equine Welfare Council, with the costs being borne by the participating organizations.
The welfare organizations which have signed up to the protocol are:
The Blue Cross,
Bransby Home of Rest for Horses,
British Equine Veterinary Association,
The British Horseracing Authority,
The British Horse Society,
The Donkey Sanctuary,
The Horse Trust,
Horseworld,
The Livestock Auctioneers Association,
National Equine Welfare Council,
Redwings Horse Sanctuary,
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,
World Horse Welfare (the new name for the International League for the Protection of Horses).
"This protocol sets out how, collectively and individually, the industry will act both to promote equine welfare and to respond to reported instances of neglect or abuse," wrote the Princess Royal, who introduced the protocol. "This information will be widely available and will advise the public on how to report their concerns. The production of the protocol represents the beginning of a dynamic process which has identified objectives to be pursued and developed over the coming years."
|
|
