The Licensing of Equine Establishments
Background Provision made for licensing schemes in the Animal Health and Welfare Act (Scotland) 2006 and Animal Welfare Act (2006) Something that has been campaigned for for many years Concerns about welfare standards Working group BHS, BEVA, WHW, Redwings, NEWC, LACORS etc. Voluntary schemes already exist e.g. BHS approve 1000+ establishments (scheme started 1961)
The Anomaly Riding schools must be licensed Boarding kennels must be licensed Catteries must be licensed Livery yards are completely unregulated BUT what about dealers, sanctuaries, studs etc.?
Definition of an Equine Establishment The term equine establishment has been adopted,, and has been defined as a yard, grazing or similar facility accommodating three horses or more which exists as: An establishment providing accommodation or services including grazing g for horses for reward. An establishment where horses are let out for hire for riding, driving, d instruction or similar purposes. An establishment used for the rescue, rehabilitation, re-homing and retirement of horses. Any establishments where horses are kept for sale. Establishments where horses used for the above categories (1-4) are kept for more than 30 days in any one year.
Do we really need licensing prove it! Evidence of Welfare problems in livery yards Dossier of Evidence Assess public opinion. World Horse Welfare online survey How many livery yards? Finding them. Estimate 20,000. Survey of Sussex and Northumberland vets more likely 40,000
WHW Online Survey Results 48% said that there were no isolation facilities 37% said that there were no procedures to exclude horse with disease 41% said that there were no movement records 39% said that there was no vaccination programme 54% said that passports were not required before entry 59% said that there had been no serious welfare problems in previous 12 months
WHW Online Survey Results 13% said that there had been injuries in last 12 months 10% said that there had been inadequate food or water in last 12 months 10% said had poor foot management in last 12 months 8% reported gross obesity 5% reported physical abuse 5% reported failure to call VS when there was a need to do so 6.5% said that they were aware that welfare reports had been made in the last 12 months
WHW Online Survey Results 64% premises unapproved 31% of premises could hold between 10 and 19 animals 59% premises were not cleaned out between occupants Problems identified with floors, roofs and electrics out of reach 10% had no fresh water in grazing/turn out areas 22% droppings not removed regularly from grazing area
WHW Online Survey Results 43% no shelter in grazing area 23% had boggy areas 11% had unguarded rabbit warrens or badger setts 57% said that there was no risk of contact with barbed wire 18% had ragwort problem 20% said there was no emergency veterinary contact 24% said that there was no provision for delegation of authority
The Inspection 16 page document recently submitted to the Scottish Executive, and to the Welsh Assembly Details Background, Local Authority Licensing, Applications Exemptions, e.g. BHA, BHS, RCVS establishments Inspection every 18 months, with veterinary involvement every 3 years. Riding Establishments continue with annual veterinary inspections.
The Inspection Licence Holder. Adult, qualifications, experience, suitabilty Facilties. Accommodation, manure, grazing, schools, general management, health, biosecurity,, horse assessment, medicines, passports, first aid, fire safety, health and safety, supervision, notices. Documentation. Livery agreements, public liability insurance, passports, health plans, parasite control programme, vaccination policy, disease prevention and contingency, health and safety policy, fire risk assessment, accident records Inspectors. Veterinary inspectors from RCVS/BVA List (to be expanded). Local authority Inspectors qualifications and training.
Alternatives Expansion of voluntary schemes Code of Practice currently being updated Encourage new ones - ABRS, insurance incentives BEVA Yard Health Plans Restrict definition SANCTUARIES Make NEWC membership compulsory for sanctuaries BUT Voluntary schemes, health plans etc will not include the bad eggs Equine welfare, human exploitation and safety