|
WHAT DOES THE BDS DO FOR ME ? RESPONSES TO GOVERNMENT CONSULTATIONS The BDS is recognised as a major equine stakeholder by Government on the following issues :
Each year, we are asked to respond to a varying number of Consultation Documents by different Government Departments, depending on what legislation is currently pending or being considered. We are also asked to help various other groups and organisations with supporting evidence and expert advice relating to harness horses or horse drawn vehicles. The outcome of many Government Consultations is that the BDS has been able to become a Government-approved issuing/awarding organisation for horse related documents and certificates of competence. In some cases this means the BDS is able to buy in bulk, and pass on the reduced costs to Members; in other cases, it means we can offer a user-friendly, personalised service, rather than leaving Members struggling to fit into a general ‘ horse’ category which does not suit their needs or budget. By establishing ourselves as an organisation willing to work with Government and enforcement agencies– rather than merely complain about bureaucracy – we are able to be instrumental in reducing some of the burdens of legislation on the ordinary, private horse owner and keeper. For example, the latest consultation on the way in which the new Animal Welfare Act will be enforced, asks whether ordinary pet owners, as well as commercial anima users, should have some sort of qualification before they are allowed to purchase and keep an animal. Whilst we support the principle that education can only be beneficial to animal welfare, we believe that compulsory qualifications would have incredibly wide-reaching effects on us as horse owners, keepers and users. It is one thing to decide to take your BDS Preliminary, or your BDS Road Driving Test, but quite another thing to be forced to ! The simple fact is that the horse has come very much to the attention of the legislators in recent years. By keeping in touch with current thinking, we are able to offer to help put together Codes of Practice and Codes of Conduct, instead of having to curtail activities or go to a great deal of expense in order to comply with new legislation. Codes of Practice are much more user-friendly and adaptable to individual circumstances than the cold fist of legislation. Most people find the BDS considerably more approachable than the average Government Department. You are much more likely to get a personal reply from the BDS Chairman than you are from the Prime Minister ! The BDS is also frequently asked to give help with other issues. The most recent of these was in February this year, when Blackpool Council were considering imposing dung catchers/horse nappies on the passenger carriages on Blackpool sea front. We provided an expert opinion from the Chairman regarding the welfare and safety issues, and Caroline Dale-Leach went in person to do a full risk assessment of the situation. Our efforts were instrumental in swaying the Council against imposing nappies. Horse and Hound of 6th March 2007 carries a very large article warning that horse owners could, one day, be forced to get a licence to keep their horses. This arises out of the new Animal Welfare Act 2006. A horse licence is something which we have previously argued strongly against and will continue to do so. |