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National Equine Forum announces winning photographer
Pictured: The winning photograph (C) Claire Evans Watkin.

Claire Evans Watkin revealed as NEF competition winner.

The National Equine Forum (NEF) has announced the winner of its photography competition, which saw 40 equine photographers go head to head to feature on the programme cover for the 31st National Equine Forum.

With a wide range of images submitted in different styles, the judges received entries from across the UK, as well as Brazil, Canada, America and Norway.

Claire Evans Watkin, from Ceredigion, Wales, has been revealed as this year's winner, with a headshot of her miniature donkey Ziggy.

Craig Payne, NEF's official photographer, chose the winning entry. He discussed why he decided on Claire Evans Watkin's image: “I absolutely love this entry.

“It is bright and colourful and the clouds give intrigue which contrasts nicely with the donkey's big ears and the unusually shaped tree in the distance. 

“The photo has been taken from slightly beneath the donkey and this helps to silhouette it and avoid too much of the grassland, and the fact the donkey is looking down the camera could be said to drive home the point that the Forum is for all equines. 

“This is a key point as we haven't featured a donkey on the cover before.”

On hearing of her win, Claire said: “I am so excited that my picture of Ziggy has been chosen as the winning entry for the National Equine Forum programme cover competition. 

“I have a real passion for photography and Ziggy is a great model. I can’t wait to see him on the cover of the 2023 programme.”

 

Image (C) Claire Evans Watkin

 

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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.