Could you be a "Volunteer Welfare Representative"?

The BHS are looking for new people to assist with reported cases. 

Training & Support is given

Click here for details from the BHS  or  Main BHS Welfare website

Please e-mail welfare@BHSHampshire.org.uk to contact one of BHS Hampshire's existing Welfare Team for a chat. 

** The BHS backs CABI Ragwort project **

The British Horse Society welcomes a new initiative to develop a fungal mycroherbicide spray to wipe out Ragwort.

BHS Director of Welfare, Access and Safety Mark Weston represented the Society at a recent meeting with the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux International (CABI), which was also attended by Natural England, the Highways Agency and Network Rail.

CABI is proposing a three-phase project to fight the toxic weed - which kills horses - using a native fungus that destroys Ragwort. Alternative methods of control can harm the surrounding environment or actively encourage future Ragwort growth.

Landowners can lawfully be required to remove Ragwort from any land which is within 50 metres of land grazed by animals or used for producing animal forage. The BHS runs Ragwort campaigns to highlight the danger.

Mark Weston, BHS Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, said: "The proposal to develop a native fungus - mycroherbicide - to control Ragwort is an exciting development in the constant battle to get rid of this poisonous

weed. It would be a useful extra tool in our armoury."

Members of the public can find more about CABI's proposed Ragwort project by emailing ism.uk@cabi.org

For media enquiries about CABI's Ragwort project, please contact Lynsey Clark on 01491 829361 or l.clark@cabi.org.

To learn about the BHS Ragwort campaigns, call the BHS Welfare Department on 01926 7077791 or welfare@bhs.org.uk

Click here for "Ragwort - the problem, the law and control techniques" (pdf file)
 

 Dec 06

The Animal Welfare Bill

Kelly Robinson, BHS Hampshire Welfare Officer

The United Kingdom has a reputation as a nation of animal lovers, partly borne through being the first country to introduce parliamentary legislation for animal welfare over 100 years ago.  It is with joyful anticipation that animal welfare organisations across the nation await the new updated Animal Welfare Bill currently making its way through the parliamentary process, its aim being to satisfy a standard of welfare for animals appropriate for the 21^st Century.  The BHS is one of many welfare organisations being consulted through a sub committee whilst the Animal Welfare Bill progresses, we will aim to keep you up to date with its development.

All welfare organisations have to work within the law, and even if you think that nothing is being done, never take the law into your own hands and try to retrieve a neglected horse or Pony, even though your intentions are good, you will probably be breaking the law.  The BHS welfare team will always do its best within the guidelines of the law, and therefore if you are concerned about the welfare of a horse or Pony and feel that further investigation is needed please contact us or another professional welfare organisation.  It is important to provide as much detail as possible and the following is most important:

·  Description of the horse/pony including: Colour/ approximate height/ Sex/ Overall bodily condition.

·  Is there water/ grazing/ supplementary food available?

·  General state of paddock/fencing.

·  Directions to the horses location (as detailed as possible)

Further information on the Draft Animal Welfare Bill can be found on www.defra.gov.uk

2004 Report from the BHS Hampshire Welfare Officers

2004 was a relatively quiet year for the three of us.  Again as in most years, the large majority of the cases we attended resulted in a satisfactory outcome.  It is encouraging to us that in almost every case, the owners are well meaning and well intended, and are happy to take our advice to ensure the pony or horse is cared for adequately; but you are our eyes and ears, please contact any of us if you feel a horse or pony maybe suffering.

The draft Animal Welfare Bill that was published in July will be introduced in the current Parliamentary session.  Before this Bill, Welfare Organisations could not act in cruelty cases unless there was actual harm being committed to animals. Thankfully, with this new Bill, a Duty of Care is now placed on owners - which means that Welfare Organisations will soon be able to act BEFORE cruelty occurs - it seems incredible that it has taken so long to become Law.  The BHS liaise with Parliament on their Bill and we will shortly be assessing what the changes this new Legislation will bring to Welfare in Hampshire

So, with Spring just around the corner, the three of us wish you a pleasant year with all your equine friends.. and here's hoping for a lovely, long, warm summer!

Jo, Becky & Kelly