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Tributes paid to Prof R.H. Graham Suggett OBE
Prof Suggett with HRH The Princess Royal.
NEF co-founder and celebrated educator has died.

The National Equine Forum (NEF) has paid tribute to Prof R.H. Graham Suggett OBE, who passed away on 7 November at the age of 87 following a long illness.

Prof Suggett co-founded the NEF alongside Prof Sir Colin Spedding OBE and Arthur George MBE, with the first forum taking place in 1993. He held the post of convenor from 1998 to 2008 and became an honorary fellow of the forum in 2015.

The annual event, presided over by HRH The Princess Royal, brings together members of the equestrian industry and experts to address and debate important issues in the sector.

As well as his role in the NEF, Prof Suggett greatly contributed to the equine sector in his work as principal of Warwickshire College (Moreton Morrell). In the mid-1970s, he launched the first full-time further education course in equine management. The course later developed into the first equine degree in the UK.

He was awarded an OBE in 1994 for services to agricultural education and conservation.

After retiring from Warwickshire College, he served as director of equine development and breeding at the British Equestrian Federation and as chairman of the National Equine Database.

In a statement released following his passing, the NEF said: “Graham was a tireless driver for many positive developments within the equine sector and will be sorely missed.”

Image © Craig Payne Photography

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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.