Helena Flynn
Programme Director Horse Welfare Board at Horse Welfare Board - London, England, United Kingdom
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United Kingdom
Horse Welfare Board
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British racing is proud of its record on horse welfare and the improvements it has made over many years to the safety of horses and jockeys. Nothing is more important than the safety of our participants.In order to ensure that we do all we can to improve welfare standards, British racing has established an independently-chaired Horse Welfare Board to produce a strategy that unites the whole industry and drives continuous improvement.Membership and structure:The Horse Welfare Board includes representatives from the sport's tripartite structure of the BHA, racecourses and horsemen. Its independent chair, Barry Johnson, is a former President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Former Sports Minister, Tracey Crouch, is our other independent member.The Board reports to the sport's tripartite Members' Committee, where the BHA, racecourses and participants share responsibility for the industry's strategy and decisions not reserved to the regulator.The Board will make recommendations to the Members' Committee, specifically including a multi-year strategy for improving welfare and for developing more effective communication on matters relating to animal welfare. It will be for the Members' Committee to approve the new industry strategy for animal welfare."A life well-lived" – British racing's Horse Welfare StrategyIn February 2020, the Welfare Board published its five-year strategic plan for the welfare of horses bred for racing.The strategy focuses on the ambition that every horse bred to race should lead – and be seen to lead – "a life well-lived". The strategy includes traceability for horses bred for the sport, a strong focus on safety and wellbeing, a more confident and proactive approach to communications and the industry's biggest ever data project.20 recommendations and 26 specific projects were put before the Members Committee, which comprises horsemen, racecourses and the BHA.