FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To: AHC Organizations
Date: November 12, 2009
National Welfare Code of Practice Endorsed
A national Welfare Code of Practice has been endorsed
by the American Association of Equine Practitioners,
the American Quarter Horse Association, the Kentucky
Thoroughbred Association, the National Thoroughbred
Racing Association, the U.S. Equestrian Federation
and the U.S. Trotting Association. The Welfare Code
of Practice, drafted by the American Horse Council,
outlines in generic terms what it means for an organization
to be committed to the responsible breeding, training,
care, use, enjoyment, transport and retirement of
horses.
“We hope that as many organizations as possible
will endorse it to show that the industry as a whole
is committed to the welfare and safety of the horse,”
said AHC President Jay Hickey. “We know that
the safety and welfare of our horses is very important
to us. We hope that this code will be another indication
to others that the horse community takes its responsibilities
to our horses very seriously.”
Many associations have undertaken studies, reviews,
and initiatives that indicate their commitment to
the welfare of their horses. Representatives from
numerous national organizations provided an update
on their welfare activities at the AHC’s National
Issues Forum last summer. That forum is available
for on-demand viewing on www.horsetv.com. It is
important to share these efforts with the horse
community so everyone can educate themselves on
the best welfare practices throughout the sport.
This generic code is simply a continuation of that
effort.
The AHC’s Welfare Code of Practice is not
intended to replace or pre-empt those activities
or any rules and regulations specific to a segment
of the industry. Rather it is hoped that the endorsement
of a broad, more generic Welfare Code of Practice
by as many organizations as possible will be another
indication to the public, the media, federal and
state officials and the horse community that the
horse industry “Puts the Horse First.”
“We fully support the AHC Welfare Code of
Practice and encourage everyone associated with
the horse to abide by its principles,” said
Alex Waldrop, President and CEO of the National
Thoroughbred Racing Association. “It is important
that the horse industry as a whole, regardless of
breed or discipline, affirms its individual and
collective commitment to horse welfare and safety.
It is equally important that the industry communicate
with one voice on this important issue and the AHC
is the right vehicle for doing so.”
“This Code of Practice stands to unite the
equestrian community in it’s commitment to
protect, honor, and ensure the safety and well-being
of the horse which is the core of our sport,”
noted John Long, CEO, United States Equestrian Federation,
the National Governing Body of Equestrian Sport.
The AHC Welfare Code of Practice will also provide
a guide for equine organizations that are formalizing
a welfare philosophy and policy for their respective
organizations. “The American Horse Council
Welfare Code of Practice provides a standard for
the horse industry and equine organizations to evaluate
their individual welfare policies and initiatives.
It clearly states the principles necessary to achieve
a level of stewardship for the horse that always
puts the welfare of the horse first,” said
Dr. Jerry Black, past-President of the AAEP and
Chair of the AHC’s Animal Welfare Committee.
“I would strongly encourage all equine-related
organizations to join us in signing the code of
practice demonstrating their commitment to continuously
ensuring the safety and welfare of our horses,”
said Don Treadway, Executive Vice President, American
Quarter Horse Association. “By agreeing to
a code of practice, we send a clear message to the
public that we are committed to ensuring our horses
are treated with compassion, dignity and respect.”
“We hope that as the Code is reviewed more
organizations will endorse it. Our goal is to have
as many associations as possible sign on,”
said Hickey.
The AHC Welfare Code of Practice follows.
Welfare Code of Practice American Horse Council
Introduction
American society has grown away from its agrarian
roots of only a few generations ago. The horse,
which was once a staple of American agriculture
and general transportation, is now used primarily
for breeding, competition, sport, recreation and
entertainment, although there are still many horses
used for work on farms and ranches, and in urban
areas and exhibitions. The horse industry is committed
to the safety, health, care and welfare of all horses
and to always “Put the Horse First.”
We address equine welfare and responsible care (1)
by supporting a uniform Code of Practice regarding
the responsible breeding, training, competing, care,
use, enjoyment, health, transportation, and retirement
of horses; and (2) by initiating communication with
the public, the media, federal and state officials
and within the horse community regarding these issues.
Our Commitment to all Horses and the Horse Industry
The organizations listed below are committed to
the principle that the welfare and safety of the
horse is the guiding principle in the decision-making
process for all owners, service providers, organizations,
events and activities.
WE ARE COMMITTED to the dignity, humane care, health,
safety and welfare of horses in all our activities
and care. These are our highest priorities. We are
the stewards of our horses and must be firm in the
standards and practices that guide us. Our first
principle is:
The welfare, safety and stewardship of the horse
is the guiding principle in the decision-making
process for all segments for the horse industry.
WE ARE COMMITTED to promoting responsible breeding
practices and to produce better horses, not just
more horses.
WE ARE COMMITTED to responsible training techniques.
All training should be done with the maturation
and ability of the horse considered. Horses should
be prepared for competition with proper training
and conditioning methods. Excessive disciplining
methods, whether in stables, training areas, or
during competition, will not be tolerated.
WE ARE COMMITTED to educating owners, trainers,
veterinarians, competitors, exhibitors and recreational
riders to ensure that they know and respect their
horse’s abilities and limits, and their own,
so as to not push the horse or themselves beyond
their ability level.
WE ARE COMMITTED to making all competitions fair
and ensuring all competitors an equal opportunity
to succeed. Performance-enhancing drugs, practices
or equipment have no place in competitions or exhibitions.
Effective drug testing by accredited laboratories
is essential to the safety and welfare of our horses
and the public support of competitions, with appropriate
penalties levied for violations. The welfare of
the horse must take precedence over the demands
or expectations of owners, breeders, trainers, sellers,
buyers, organizers, sponsors, officials, or spectators.
WE ARE COMMITTED to the welfare of the horse as
paramount during competition. The horse industry
should invest in the infrastructure, environment
and facilities to provide a safe environment for
all horses in all activities, whether breeding,
competing, or simply riding. Any facilities that
house horses should be committed to the appropriate
care and treatment of all horses while in their
facility, and should be designed with the environment
and the intended use of the horse in mind.
WE ARE COMMITTED to minimizing injuries to horses
during training, competition, use, or work. Whenever
possible injury data should be collected, documented
and reported to the governing body of the competition
or any other injury database for analysis in order
to ensure a safer environment.
WE ARE COMMITTED to the continual review, evaluation
and improvement of all rules, regulations, policies
and practices in all equine activities, based on
science (where indicated). When warranted, they
should be refined or changed. This includes existing
practices to ensure they are not being perceived
as acceptable, particularly if new research has
called them into question.
WE ARE COMMITTED to providing continuing education
on all activities involving horses and eliminate
inhumane practices as well as strengthening sanctions
for non-compliance.
WE ARE COMMITTED to educating all people who own
or work with horses to ensure they are knowledgeable
in the proper husbandry, care, and handling of horses.
Each horse should be observed frequently to ensure
that they are healthy. In consultation with a veterinarian,
all such individuals should develop a sound health
care program, appropriate to the facilities, environment
and needs of the horses.
WE ARE COMMITTED to providing an environment in
which anyone aware of equine cruelty or neglect
is willing to report it to the proper local, state
or federal authorities. Should an incident occur
at an event it should be reported to judges, stewards,
responsible authorities or the sanctioning organization.
WE ARE COMMITTED to improving the health and welfare
of horses through scientific research, collaboration,
advocacy and the development of appropriate rules.
The industry should continue to support and work
with the many individuals, universities, veterinarians
and foundations doing and funding equine health
and welfare research in order to reduce injuries
and improve health.
WE ARE COMMITTED to horse owners and caretakers
ensuring horses in their care are current on vaccinations
and following best practices to minimize infection
and disease. When a disease outbreak occurs horse
owners and events must act quickly and responsibly,
monitor the horses, report the outbreak to, and
cooperate with, veterinarians, authorities, facility
management and all stakeholders to bring a rapid
resolution to the outbreak.
WE ARE COMMITTED to ensuring that our horses will
have an opportunity to transition to additional
careers, uses or activities as the need arises.
When necessary, owners and veterinarians may have
to consider end-of-life decisions. The welfare,
safety and dignity of the horse must continue to
be the guiding principle in deciding how and when
to provide a humane death.
WE ARE COMMITTED to being transparent about our
activities in order to ensure the public, the media,
federal, state and local officials and the various
segments of the horse community understand what
we do, why we do it, and support it.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact: Bridget Harrison
202-296-4031
bharrison@horsecouncil.org
If you have any questions, please call us.
1616 H Street NW 7th Floor . Washington
DC 20006 . 202-296-4031 . Fax 202-296-1970
Email: AHC@horsecouncil.org
. Web Address: www.horsecouncil.org
WASHINGTON UPDATE
To: AHC Organizations
Date: August 7, 2009
More H-2B Visas Available for Fiscal Year 2009
On August 6, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS) reopened the FY 2009 H-2B visa petition
filing period for temporary foreign nonagricultural
workers and will immediately accept new H-2B petitions.
Background:
On January 7, 2009, USCIS announced that it had
received enough H-2B petitions to meet the annual
cap of 66,000. However, only 40,640 H-2B visas for
2009 have been issued to date. For this reason the
USCIS is reopening the petition period to allow
employers to take advantage of these unused H-2B
visas.
The H-2B program is used by members of the horse
industry, primarily horse trainers and owners who
cannot find American workers to fill semi-skilled
jobs at racetracks, horse shows, fairs and in similar
non-agricultural activities.
New H-2B Petition Period
Petitions for these remaining FY 2009 H-2B visas
must be received by Sept. 30, 2009.
Employers wishing to take advantage of these visas
are encouraged to file as soon as possible. To qualify
for a fiscal year 2009 H-2B cap number, employers
must submit the Form I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant
Worker to USCIS with all required documents, including
an approved Alien Employment Certification from
the U.S. Department of Labor that is valid for the
entire employment period stated on the petition.
The petitioner must also indicate an employment
start date before Oct. 1, 2009.
If you have any questions, please call us.
1616 H Street NW 7th Floor . Washington
DC 20006 . 202-296-4031 . Fax 202-296-1970
Email: AHC@horsecouncil.org
. Web Address: www.horsecouncil.org
To: AHC Organizations
From: American Horse Council
Re: Slaughter Horse Developments
Date: July 14, 1009
USDA Announces Standards for Privately-Owned Horse
Import Facilities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has given
the green light for the industry to build and operate
permanent, privately owned quarantine facilities
for horses. Such facilities would have to comply
with the criteria set out in the USDA announcement.
The AHC has been working with USDA to authorize
such facilities for some time. USDA has taken this
action because the demand for quarantine services
for horses often exceeds the space available at
the existing three import facilities. Allowing imported
horses to be quarantined in permanent, privately
owned facilities that meet the established criteria
will facilitate importation while continuing to
protect the country against the introduction of
foreign diseases.
Background
The horse industry is an international industry
and increasingly more foreign horses are being brought
into the U.S. for racing, showing, sale and breeding.
Often the three facilities currently used to import
horses do not have enough quarantine space to accommodate
them all.
USDA first proposed this rule in 2002. Because it
was not adopted, the AHC called for the USDA to
re-publish the rule, which was done in December
2006.
The AHC commented on the 2006 proposed rule, stating
its support of this rule, as well as highlighting
a few important items and pointing out a couple
of concerns. The AHC emphasized the importance of
having APHIS personnel present at the privately-owned
facilities to provide the oversight and assistance
necessary to ensure the biological security of the
facility. It was also emphasized that the establishment
of permanent privately-owned quarantine facilities
should not have any affect on temporary privately-owned
quarantine facilities that are used for special
events and competitions, as they are an important
resource to the horse industry.
Facility Criteria
The final rule provides details on the standards
established for the approval of permanent, privately
owned quarantine facilities. These standards include
the steps needed to gain USDA approval of a facility,
the physical requirements of a facility (includes
location, construction, etc.), sanitation and security
requirements, operating procedures (includes USDA
oversight, handling of horses, record keeping, etc.)
and more. The approval of an import quarantine facility
will require a compliance agreement between USDA
and the operator of the facility. Because of the
stringent guidelines for these facilities, USDA
expects only a couple of facilities to be approved
in the next few years.
Benefit to the U.S. Horse Industry
With increasing trade between the U.S. and other
countries, having the ability to increase the amount
of quarantine space for imported horses is very
beneficial to the horse industry. This rule has
the potential to make the import process easier
and timelier while continuing to protect the country
against the introduction of foreign diseases of
horses. It will provide a clear benefit to importers
when the demand for space in the current import
quarantine facilities surpasses the space available.
If you have any questions, please call us.
1616 H Street NW 7th Floor . Washington
DC 20006 . 202-296-4031 . Fax 202-296-1970
Email: AHC@horsecouncil.org
. Web Address: www.horsecouncil.org
Responsible Ownership
Click
here to read the article published by the BloodHorse
- July 4, 2009
