[HORSES] Defra to close NED website end of Sept 2012

cally6008

(ned is a uk website)

I don't know if you are aware yet but DEFRA have given notice that they are not awarding a new contract for a central equine database and that their contract with the National Equine Database Ltd (NED) will terminate at the end of September 2012.

Therefore, this NED website cannot continue to operate beyond the end of September and all NED Services including horse search, lost and stolen register, horse associations, pedigree, progeny and performance reports, passport check, NEDLinks and equine reminders will no longer be available

Nick, CEO of NED says

In practical terms probably the best thing you can do right now is write to Defra expressing your view. The Ministers responsible are Jim Paice and Caroline Spelman. The Horse passport team is on horse.passports@DEFRA.GSI.GOV.UK.

In the meantime we and the British Equestrian Federation are trying to find ways of persuading Defra to change their mind or to find ways to fund NED from within the Industry. Unfortunately, because Defra delayed making their decision from May until the end of July (in the middle of the Olympics!), we have only a couple of weeks to find a solution.

Suggested wording of email to send to horse.passports@DEFRA.GSI.GOV.UK in response to Defra's decision to close the National Equine Database website

Dear Jim Paice and Caroline Spelman,

I am deeply concerned regarding DEFRA’s decision to cease funding the National Equine Database. What measures does DEFRA have to uphold the law on equine passports, if there is no central database?

The decision to cease funding this scheme, while hundreds of equine’s in this country are at their most vulnerable time in decades, will only increase cases of abandonment and neglect.

The horse passport was introduced by the UK government and should therefore by administered by it or by an accredited organisation.

As a concerned citizen of this country, a horse and animal lover, I demand that DEFRA continue funding the National Equine Database.

(Add a story about how you have used NED? )

Yours faithfully

Sign the online petition here - http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/keep-ned-open/

cally6008

Over 330 signatures now, thanks, keep signing and voice your complaints to defra

cally6008

please sign if you haven't already, now over 800 signatures on it
don't forget to emai defra as well, it all helps

I've been asked to submit comments for H+H as they are running article on it in thursday edition
Yikes, dunno if they can print some of what i'm thinking .. LOL

walwin

I've signed and emailed.

Just to point out that in line 4 of the email it should be equines not equine's:
while hundreds of equines

cally6008

Petition has reached over 1,000 signatures now

Article in this weeks H+H mainly on page 8 with comments on page 6 and page 83