Equine Welfare
The Pennsylvania Equine Council is committed:
- To stay informed of issues concerning the state and federal laws and regulations having an impact on equine in Pennsylvania.
- To discuss and evaluate updated information concerning equine welfare at board meetings.
Equine Welfare Committee
Members of this committee have the responsibility to stay informed of issues concerning the state and federal laws and regulations having an impact on equine in Pennsylvania.
This committee shall provide updated information concerning equine welfare to the PEC Board of Directors at each Board meeting or as called upon for the Board.
This committee regularly checks with the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC). The EDCC is a national web site that alerts the horse industry about disease outbreak information to help mitigate and prevent the spread of equine disease. In doing so, the PEC works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious diseases in North America. The communication system is designed to seek and report real time information about disease outbreaks similar to how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alerts the human population about diseases in people. http://www.equinediseasecc.org/
This committee shall supply a list of speakers who can represent the position of the PEC on any equine welfare subject to the public through press releases or other public forum (i.e. radio, television interviews).
The Pennsylvania Equine Council supports the American Horse Council’s Welfare Code of Practice. http://www.horsecouncil.org/national-welfare-code/
The American Horse Council drafted the “Welfare Code of Practice” in fall of 2009. The Code 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.
Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC)
The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious diseases in North America. The communication system is designed to seek and report real time information about disease outbreaks similar to how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alerts the human population about diseases in people.
The goal of the EDCC is to alert the horse industry about disease outbreak information to help mitigate and prevent the spread of disease. Ultimately frequent and accurate information about diseases outbreaks improves horse welfare and helps to prevent negative economic impact that can result from decreased horse use due to a fear of spreading infection. As part of the National Equine Health Plan the EDCC will serve as part of the communication to help educate and promote research about endemic and foreign disease.
http://www.equinediseasecc.org/outbreaks.aspx
Working in cooperation with state animal health officials and the United State Department of Agriculture, the EDCC seeks information about current disease outbreaks from news media, social media, official state reports and veterinary practitioners. Once information is confirmed, it is immediately posted on this website and messages sent to all states and horse organizations by email. Daily updates are posted until each outbreak is contained or deemed no longer a threat.
Disease Information
Current information on infectious diseases of horses is listed here. More information may be available at the office of your state veterinarian.