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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 13th February 2013
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Sharp decline in thoroughbred registrations
Industry welcomes figures following overbreeding

Welfare charities and the horse racing industry have welcomed news that the number of thoroughbred horses being bred in Britain is in sharp decline.

The figures released from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) show that in the last five years, the number of thoroughbreds being registered for racing has dropped by a third.

The sharp decline is reported to be a response of the recession and overproduction – an encouraging result, according to World Horse Welfare.

"Overbreeding is probably the largest welfare problem in Britain right now, and it's good to see that racing is acting responsibly," said Roly Owers, chief executive of the charity.

"We wish we could say the same for all horse breeders."

The number of thoroughbred foals being registered annually has decreased from 5,920 in 2008 to 4,366 in 2012.

A BHA spokesperson commented: "Overproduction of foals is an issue affecting the entire equine sector in Britain. Starting in 2008 there was a conscious effort in British racing to address the issue and to raise awareness of the problem.

"There has been an impact from the recession and market forces that have played their part, but communicating with owners and breeders about the issue was much easier than in other disciplines."

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.