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FEI commission launches welfare proposals survey
The survey is open until Thursday, 22 June 2023.
Equestrian stakeholders invited to share their views.

The International Equestrian Federation’s (FEI’s) Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission (EEWBC) is seeking the views of equestrian stakeholders as it launches a new survey on the welfare recommendations it made earlier this year.

The 24 recommendations were presented at the FEI Sports Forum 2023 in April, setting out ways to safeguard equine welfare and maintain public support at a time when concerns about the involvement of horses in sport have become more prominent.

Those wishing to fill in the survey, which can be completed online, have until Thursday, 22 June 2023. The results will be used to inform the work of the commission.

The EEWBC was launched in June 2022 to independently consider welfare concerns that could have an impact on the social acceptance of equine sport. Its recommendations include ensuring that the horse’s interests are always placed before those of the human or sport and a zero-tolerance approach to any practice that compromises equine welfare and safety both during and outside competition.

EEWBC chair Professor Natalie Waran said: “We were delighted with the extremely positive response to our recommendations made at April’s Sports Forum. The equestrian community understood that we can only demonstrate how seriously we take the responsibility of involving horses in sport with top-to-bottom engagement across the equestrian community, and a desire to act in the best interests of the horse.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.