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Post by bonnieheather on Jun 2, 2011 21:35:22 GMT
That makes for very interesting reading icarus!!!!
Perfect, I can not find a direct contact for Tony Evans, can I suggest you go direct to the Chief Exec of WHW rolyowers@worldhorsewelfare.org with your first hand info?
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Post by perfect on Jun 2, 2011 21:57:47 GMT
Allmy info was reported to the relevant authorities WHW or the rspca.,, who informed me at the time that they knew all about the goimgs on at both his premises and had been there earlier on in the year, but would send someomne down.
The report i got back from them was that they where giving him advise on to perhaps trim the ponies feet a bit more regular...I ASK YOU>>>> they said the way the law stood they couldnt do anything........................................
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Post by bonnieheather on Jun 2, 2011 22:04:55 GMT
Time for change :-)
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Post by poneydestiny on Jun 3, 2011 5:16:27 GMT
The Editor
Horse and Hound
26 May 2011
Dear Sir
WELFARE ISSUES IN MASS OVER-BREEDING OF LOW VALUE PONIES
I commend the magazine on its excellent, balanced piece about the welfare of ponies at the Brightwells WPCS Spring sale on 14 May.
I have no doubt that Brightwells did the right thing for the ponies in question on the 14th May in allowing them to go through the sale – right for those particular ponies on that day – but in the longer term this merely perpetuates the problem. An examination of sale records shows that the stud at the centre of the storm has held so-called ‘reduction’ or ‘dispersal’ sales regularly for many years, yet over that same period WPCS records show that almost as many animals have been newly registered by the stud as have been sold: a continuous cycle of over-breeding that one hopes has now come to an end.
Mass over-breeding of unwanted equines is a multi-faceted problem that demands a multi-agency solution. That solution includes all auction houses desisting from providing a route to market for poorly maintained stock, all breed societies re-examining the basis on which passports are issued in large numbers to a single breeder or stud, irresponsible or incapable breeders accepting that not every mare has to be put in foal every year, AND the well-meaning public refraining from ‘rescuing’ unwanted, indiscriminately bred ponies from low-end sales (in this I do not include the very important issue of preserving valuable bloodlines of ponies that end up at sales due to misfortune). Only through a collective, constructive effort can any sustained improvement be expected to happen. In this regard the passing off of responsibility between auctioneers, those responsible for breed preservation, and individual breeders from one to another, really does the equine itself no service whatsoever. One would like to see all key stakeholders taking a more proactive, courageous stance.
Yours
Dr L E willyinson
Official Spokesperson for the Responsible Equine Breeding Society (REBS)
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Post by poneydestiny on Jun 3, 2011 5:46:03 GMT
Now this is an interesting problem, the signature of the person on the above letter is automatically garbled on this forum, and I just tried to correct it in a note, but it garbles again in my note! I will send a note to the moderator..
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Post by armada on Jun 3, 2011 6:31:45 GMT
Its to do with the filter that changes potentially offensive words, if you take the first letter of the surname, leave a space and then type the rest of the name it will come out correctly.
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Post by poneydestiny on Jun 3, 2011 6:44:19 GMT
Please note signatory of H+H letter above is..
Dr L. E. D ickenson Spokesperson for Responsible Equine Breeding Society (REBS)
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Post by fayecary on Jun 3, 2011 8:10:53 GMT
This taken from a Horse and Hound report 2008Ascot cracks down on 'meat men' buying racehorses at sales Martha Terry 5 December, 2008 Ascot and auctioneers Brightwells have instituted a new protocol at their sales to prevent ex-racehorses being sold for human consumption. Horses can raise up to £650 when they are sold for meat and as Brightwells' minimum sale price is £300, there had been fears that "meat men" may be attracted to sales at the royal racecourse. Minimum sale prices at Doncaster and Newmarket Sales are £500. Ascot spokesman Nick Smith said that from now on buyers of horses priced £300-£800 face a life ban from Ascot sales if they cannot provide evidence of the horse's whereabouts to Brightwells six months after purchase. Mr Smith said: "Mostly it will be a formality, as Brightwells will know the purchaser and where the horse is. "But all buyers will be expected to write to Brightwells and let them know where the horse is. If they do not do so Brightwells will follow-up with a phone call or letter to find out." Mr Smith explained why Ascot had rejected raising its minimum sale price. "Brightwells argued that if a horse doesn't sell for £500, the buyers would agree an unofficial sale behind closed doors later on," he said. The move has been welcomed by the British Horseracing Authority. Media relations manager Paul Struthers told H&H: "We have no official figures on how many racehorses are slaughtered each year but we support any measure that would ensure healthy former racehorses enjoy a second career." Jo White, World Horse Welfare director of campaigns, said: "It is definitely a positive step because it will provide tracking and traceability of horses coming out of racing, which undoubtedly could go on to do other things." And Chris House, president elect of the British Equine Veterinary Association, praised Brightwells' move, but added: "Many of those racehorses going for human consumption in the UK are really those for whom it is the only outlet, due to injury." This article was first published in Horse & Hound (4 December, '08) Maybe they should implement this at their monthly Leominster sale too?...meat man bought 9 TB's there last sale (may 22nd) aged between 3 yrs and 14..all sound, decent animals..all for less than £450 each i know the name of the guy who bought them, so Brightwells should too.
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Post by bonnieheather on Jun 3, 2011 8:19:13 GMT
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Post by JadeCannon on Jun 3, 2011 18:28:19 GMT
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Post by oliver21 on Jun 3, 2011 21:51:50 GMT
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Post by icarus on Jun 4, 2011 12:22:36 GMT
Signed!
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Post by bonnieheather on Jun 4, 2011 15:09:25 GMT
I received a letter today from my local MP; Thank you for your recent e-mail concerning over-breeding of low value ponies. I note your comments and concerns. The type of extreme suffering you highlight should not be acceptable and should not be tolerated in the UK today. I will ensure your concerns are made known to the relevant government minister. Thank you again for contacting me on this important issue.
So, come on folks, keep sending those letters :-)
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Post by brindlerainbow on Jun 4, 2011 15:27:55 GMT
Has anyone had any kind of response from Watchdog yet as I havent heard a word from them
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Post by firtree on Jun 4, 2011 16:11:28 GMT
No.
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Post by ladywell on Jun 5, 2011 17:09:19 GMT
Has everyone signed the petition and forwarded to their friends?
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Post by JadeCannon on Jun 6, 2011 11:51:40 GMT
Please make sure you verify your signature on the petition by clicking on the link in the email sent to you once you have signed - check your junk mail if you haven't received it! Aiming for 10,000 signatures before end of august - big presentation planned so please be part of this and sign the petition and pass to others to sign!
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Post by poneydestiny on Jun 6, 2011 12:22:29 GMT
Call for volunteer! Does anyone do illustrations? We have a little story about "Creaky Seth" The Sad Short Life of a Welsh Pony and it would be great if we could have some illustrations to go with it. Just send me a pm
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drea
Full Member
Posts: 287
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Post by drea on Jun 6, 2011 12:39:41 GMT
signed and verified, and passed on
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Post by poneydestiny on Jun 6, 2011 13:59:23 GMT
NEWSFLASH Article out in new Horse Scene Magazine page 5 on Criccieth Stud and Brightwells sales. Be sure to write to the editors and journalist thanking them! It is through the intervention of the media that we have succeeded in getting messages out on many levels so please encourage these ethical publications who care
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Post by bonnieheather on Jun 6, 2011 17:51:21 GMT
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2011 19:29:16 GMT
I never heard back from Watchdog
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Post by poneydestiny on Jun 7, 2011 9:26:14 GMT
Could any of you who know of buyers of the Criccieth ponies at the Builth Wells spring sale, or more recent smaller sales please come in contact with us? Thank you for the one lead whom we will be contacting, but perhaps you know of others?
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Post by sjp on Jun 7, 2011 9:44:42 GMT
Shelley8697 on here and her friend bought 5 Criccieth ponies at the Spring sale. She posted about them on the first page of this thread. The other 2 buyers that I know of are good supporters of ELE!
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Post by poneydestiny on Jun 8, 2011 6:27:37 GMT
A couple of us have received the following reply from the Welsh Government
Pony@royalwelsh.net
07/06/2011
Dear Ms Wehbe
Thank you for your email regarding the condition of equines presented for sale at Builth Wells market on the 14 of May.
The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that all animals bred, kept, sold and transported throughout Wales are done so to the highest possible health and welfare standards. In 2008 the Welsh Government produced a Code of Practice for the Welfare of Equines; the Code advises owners on good practice in a number of areas including advice on a suitable environment, diet and health and welfare.
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 ensures that the keeper of an animal, whether on a permanent or temporary basis, has a legal duty to take reasonable steps to ensure its welfare needs are met. There are also a number of specific provisions in place to protect the welfare of equines presented for sale, from when they begin their journey, throughout their time at market and during their onward journey, which include -
The Welfare of Animals at Markets Order 1990 provides that:
„X No person shall permit an unfit animal to be exposed for sale in a market.
The Welfare of Horses at Markets (and Other Places of Sale) Order 1990:
„X No person shall permit a mare to be exposed for sale in a market if it is likely to give birth while it is there.
The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Wales) Order 2007 provides that:
„X It is an offence to transport any animal in a way which causes, or is likely to cause, injury or unnecessary suffering to that animal.
The Equine Identification (Wales) Regulations 2009:
The Regulations make it a requirement for all equines to be issued with a passport and since the 1 July 2009 all foals need to be identified by an implanted microchip which links the animal to its passport. It is also a requirement that the passport accompanies the horse and it is an offence to move a horse without a passport. Those horses being sold, either privately or via a market or auction, can only be sold if they have been issued with a valid passport which accompanies it to the sale premises. Horses illegally transported to the sale that have not been issued with a passport cannot, therefore, be issued with one at the equine sale premises prior to the horse being sold. If the passport has not been given by the owner/keeper to the person responsible for the sale of the horse it cannot be sold. In addition the act of selling a foal, either weaned or un-weaned, will trigger the need for a passport and micro-chip before the foal moves off the holding of birth. Powys Trading Standards are the Local Authority for the Builth Wells area; they are responsible for ensuring that all relevant legislation is complied with. Welsh Government staff are working closely with the Local Authority, Animal Health and the RSPCA to establish the facts of the situation, in general terms the Local Authority may take action such as, issuing improvement notices, removing animals from an owners care or pursuing a criminal conviction.
The pictures that you have provided depict an unacceptable situation and have been passed to the relevant enforcement body, in this case Powys Local Authority, for investigation. Following a full investigation, action will be taken to try and prevent a similar situation from occurring in the future however; while an investigation is underway I am unable to comment on the specific aspects of this case.
Yours sincerely
Mr. Huw Jones Head of Animal Welfare and By Products Branch Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer Welsh Government
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Post by poneydestiny on Jun 8, 2011 6:31:57 GMT
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Post by poneydestiny on Jun 8, 2011 6:33:39 GMT
Prosecutions Local Authority Trading Standards Services aim to protect local consumers and to protect the interests of reputable businesses so that no one supplier has an unfair competitive advantage over another. We work closely with local businesses to ensure that they understand what the law requires of them and that they comply with their legal obligations.
Notwithstanding this, some businesses fall foul of the law from time to time, and will face legal action. The decision to prosecute is not taken lightly but when appropriate we will take action to provide protection to the public and to maintain a 'level playing field' for legitimate businesses.
Trading Standards Services often take the decision to publicise the results of successful court cases in order to inform and reassure. It is information which both consumers and traders alike may find of interest.
Below you will find examples of recent cases taken to court by Trading Standards Services across Wales. The list takes the form of the press releases issued by individual Services.
When reading the details of those prosecuted it should be remembered that some of the offences may not have come to light immediately, and could have been committed a number of years previously.
This information is made available for a limited period in order to promote the openness, transparency and accountability of the criminal justice system to the people it serves.
The information is made available solely on the understanding that it is for the individual use of the person who has accessed the page. The information on this page must not be stored, recorded, republished or otherwise processed without explicit agreement of the Wales Heads of Trading Standards. Please contact our Communications Lead Officer at trading.standards@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
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Post by poneydestiny on Jun 8, 2011 6:34:17 GMT
Powys County Council Trading Standards Department Address - County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, LD1 5LG Tel - 01597 826031 Fax - 01597 826669 The Park, Newtown, SY21 2NZ Tel - 01686 617524 Fax - 01686 617614 Neuadd Brycheiniog Cambrian Way Brecon LD3 7HR Tel - 01874 623420 Fax – 01874 611789 Out of Hours Contact No. (Emergency Only) - 08450 544847 E-mail - trading.standards@powys.gov.uk Website - www.powys.gov.uk/tradingstandards
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Post by poneydestiny on Jun 8, 2011 7:06:44 GMT
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Post by brindlerainbow on Jun 8, 2011 7:22:29 GMT
That letter from the Welsh government looks promising
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