Memorandum submitted by Verderers of the
New Forest
Our organisations welcome the new provisions
made within the above mentioned, however have the following representations
to make with regard to Clause 1—Cruelty; Subsection 4 and
5.
1. An effective form of identification of
ownership of ponies within the semi feral herd lawfully depastured
within the perambulations of the New Forest, Hampshire and adjacent
commons is essential. To date, since commoning within the New
Forest commenced this has been done by "Hot Branding"
ponies with their owners individual brand mark.
2. This method is used as opposed to any
other as it is fast, efficient and effective and therefore is
the most appropriate means for use on a semi feral herd of animals
in terms of welfare. It has the support of welfare bodies such
as the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH)
and has also been evaluated against other identification methods
by the British Equine Veterinary Association. In January 1998
J C McEwen BVMS MRCVS of the said organisation stated the following
in his report "In my opinion hot branding is one of the most
practical methods identifying New Forest Ponies . . . I consider
freeze branding of which I have a degree of experience to be more
painful than hot branding. I would also consider ear tagging and
punching to be more painful and probably less useful than branding
forest ponies . . ."
3. The practice of hot branding of Ponies
within the New Forest is undertaken by experienced Commoners and
Stockmen and in other circumstances employees of the New Forest
Verderers, namely the Agisters, all of which are highly experienced
in this practice.
4. We are concerned that this essential
practice has not been mentioned within subsection 5 (nor within
Explanatory notes, 27. sub section (5)) and therefore ask for
your assurances that this will be included within the exemption
of the prohibition as allowed under this Sub section. Failure
to allow this essential practice to continue within the management
practices of the semi feral herd would undoubtedly lead to identification
problems and the breakdown of the current system of commoning
which would be detrimental to both the semi feral herd and the
fabric of the forest itself.
5. In conclusion, we seek assurances that
the practice of hot branding will be allowed to continue after
the implementation of the proposed Animal Welfare Bill for ponies
within the semi feral herd lawfully depastured within the New
Forest, Hampshire and adjacent areas. We also seek assurance that
this exemption will be specified within subsection 5 of Clause
1—Cruelty as the draft bill proposes.
Sue Westwood
Clerk to the Verderers and on behalf of the New Forest
Pony Breeding and Cattle Society, the New Forest Commoners Defence
Association and the New Forest Livestock Society.
18 August 2004
| 
