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BEVA Congress offers social licence stream
This year's congress runs from 11-14 September.
The stream will include a talk by Olympian Sally Gunnell.

The issue of society’s acceptance of the use of horses in sport and competitions will be a major topic at this year’s BEVA Congress.

Activities that have public approval or acceptance are said to have a social licence to operate. This licence has been questioned by some groups in recent years when it comes to the involvement of horses in certain activities, especially horse racing.

The opening day of BEVA Congress will devote an entire stream to the subject of how to strengthen equine sport’s social licence, looking at some of the similarities between equine and human sporting injures and how the number of such injuries could be reduced.

The stream will include Olympic gold medalist Sally Gunnell sharing her experiences of injury, a talk from a surgeon who works with young human athletes with stress fractures, and a talk on the steps being taken in Australia to prevent injuries to horses in high profile races.

Bruce Bladon, BEVA president elect, said: “A huge part of equine practice stems from the involvement of horses in competition. Whether the animals under our care take part in the local pony club’s mounted games, are on display in the showing classes at the county show, or are competing at the Olympics, equine veterinary practice would be unlikely to survive without horse sport.

“However, the future of equine sport, including horse racing, is under debate; competition often increases the risk of injury, and, at one end of the spectrum, it inevitably also increases the risk of fatal injury.

“This is an area where veterinary science and research can help; demonstrably reducing the risk and/or severity of injury during competition is likely to be an important factor in retaining the social licence of equestrianism into the future.”

This year’s BEVA Congress runs from 11-14 September at the ACC in Liverpool. More information about the event can be found here.

Image © BEVA

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New guidelines published for wildlife disease surveillance

News Story 1
 A set of international guidelines for disease surveillance in wildlife has been updated for the first time since 2015.

Released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the World Organisation for Animal Health, General Guidelines for Surveillance of Diseases, Pathogens and Toxic Agents in Free-ranging Wildlife is designed to help wildlife authorities and others working with wildlife carry out effective surveillance programmes.

The document, which cover areas including choosing appropriate strategies, safety and biosafety protocols, and ethical and legal considerations, can be read here.  

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Restricted zone extended after more bluetongue cases

After three new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 were detected along the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire border, the restricted zone has been extended.

The zone now includes Buckinghamshire and part of Berkshire, as well as Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Greater London, part of Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, part of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, part of Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, Surrey, and West Sussex.

Susceptible animals in the restricted zone should only be moved if it is essential. A specific licence is needed to move a susceptible animal from within the restricted zone to outside of the zone.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. In Northern Ireland, suspected cases should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the areas where restrictions apply can be found here.