Horse Meat, Passports, Sport And Welfare At 22nd National Equine Forum - 6th March 2014

The 22nd National Equine Forum, to be held on Thursday 6th March 2014, at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, will bring together a panel of prestigious speakers from Government, equestrian sport, veterinary science and welfare. Following his well-received first visit to the Forum in 2013, The Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, will address the Forum again this year, to discuss Defra’s perspective. Representatives from sporting bodies in Germany and Switzerland should be discussing growth and challenges faced in horse sport and the chief executives of World Horse Welfare and Redwings, together with the proprietor of the UK’s largest abattoir, will debate the contentious issue of welfare and the horse meat industry. The National Equine Forum brings together all sectors of the UK’s equestrian industry to listen to and debate the latest equestrian news and research, and then mingle and network over lunch and afternoon tea. The thought-provoking 2014 programme will include subjects of interest to all elements of the equestrian sector. Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare will discuss the highly topical subject of breeding of horses. Nic de Brauwere, Chairman of the National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) and Head of Welfare, Education and Rehabilitation at Redwings Horse Sanctuary will then explore the future for problem horses. To close this session, Stephen Potter, of Potters Abattoir, will discuss the role of the horse meat industry in contributing to equine standards of welfare. Legislation and the racing industry will be examined from national, international and governmental perspectives. Paul Bittar, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority, will discuss medication and doping control in racing, with Owen Paterson following with the Defra view on matters equestrian. Jan Rogers, Head of Equine Development at the British Equestrian Federation, will then provide an update on equine passports as an effective means of management, monitoring and control. Sönke Lauterbach, Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of the German Equestrian Federation will examine the challenges facing horses in the 21st century, while it is hoped that Ingmar de Vos, Secretary General of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), will be attending to speak about the global growth of horse sport. The revolutionary eHoof will be launched in its English form by Michael Weishaupt of the University of Zurich. eHoof is a sophisticated computer and web-based programme devoted to the equine foot and lower limbs and a potentially invaluable tool for farriers and equine vets. A session on horse and rider movement, balance and straightness will include Line Grieve, a vet from the Animal Health Trust who is carrying out research to investigate the frequency of the occurrence of saddle slip and the risk factors for saddle slip; Haydn Price, a farrier; Vicky Spalding, an equine physiotherapist; Mark Fisher, a saddler; and Louise Broom, a human physiotherapist. Jennie Price, Chief Executive at Sport England will discuss driving the legacy from 2012, and then as a fitting close to the day, the winner of the Sir Colin Spedding Award will be announced. There will also be a series of hot topics with three short five-minute topical slots interspersed throughout the day. The National Equine Forum is organised by a committee reflecting various sectors of the equestrian industry and has as its President HRH The Princess Royal. It is sponsored by the Association of British Riding Schools, Bedmax, BEVA Trust, the Blue Cross, British Equestrian Federation, British Equestrian Trade Association, British Horse Society, British Horseracing Authority, Bulley Davey, Darbys Solicitors, Dodson and Horrell, Donkey Sanctuary, Equine Products UK, Horse Trust, Jeffress Scholarship Trust, NFU Mutual Insurance, South Essex Insurance Brokers, Weatherbys Group and World Horse Welfare. Tickets are available to equestrian trade delegates and equestrian professionals at a cost of £100 per person, which includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day. To apply or to find out how you could enjoy the privilege of becoming a Friend of the Forum please contact the Hon Secretary, Ms Tracy Allen, at Warwickshire College, Moreton Morrell, Warwick, CV35 9BL email [email protected]. For further information on the NEF visit www.bef.co.uk

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