Owners wanting information about swamp fever outbreaks can sign up for a free disease text alert service. But Animal Health, the part of Defra that operates the service, has omitted to let anyone know about it
Defra are collecting information on leisure horses in the UK in case of an outbreak of an infectious equine disease
Jim Paice attended the AGM of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) last week — the first time a Defra minister has done so in living memory
Defra must cut spending by 5.5% but cannot say whether this will directly affect the horse world
The appointment of Conservative MP Caroline Spelman as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has been universally welcomed
Details of the Government's plans to separate animal health from welfare are now on the Defra website
Defra has launched its animal welfare codes, including one offering advice for horse owners
Defra has spent £180,000 on redesigning its website because it was “too brown” and looked “too agricultural”
Horse owners must get something for their money if the government plans to charge them a “horse tax” to pay for unexpected disease outbreaks, argues equine industry
Horsewatch groups and National Equine Database officials are disappointed that Defra refuses to give police full access to the database
Defra has clarified that any foal born before 1 July that does not already have a passport will need microchipping, under the new passport regulations imposed on 1 August
Defra has set up a working group with the farming industry to advise the government on animal health policy — but it is unclear yet whether the horse industry will be represented
Horse owners are being asked for their opinion on Defra's plans to set up a new body to administer animal health policy
DEFRA’s plans for a new independent body for animal health in England have been greeted with concern by owners who attended the first of its “consultation roadshows”
Horse owners are urged to attend a Defra roadshows to find out more on the Government's plan for a new independent body for animal health
The Defra consultation period for comments on changes to horse passporting regulations ends on Monday 2 February
Defra offers practical advice to horse, dog and cat owners
The British Equestrian Federation is to continue the development of the internet-based identification, breeding and competition database
DEFRA has at last issued guidance notes to help horse owners caught up in the foot and mouth outbreak
Riders have until September 2007 to registered their views on the DEFRA website
