National Equine Database (NED) to close at the end of September 2012

DEFRA have given notice that they are not awarding a new contract for a central equine database and their contract with the National Equine Database Ltd (NED) will terminate at the end of September 2012.

Therefore, the NED website cannot continue to operate beyond the end of September and all NED Services including horse search, lost and stolen register, horse associations, pedigree, progeny and performance reports, passport check, NEDLinks and equine reminders will no longer be available – http://www.nedonline.co.uk/public/FunctionDisabled.aspx

Nick, CEO of NED writes … In practical terms probably the best thing you can do right now is write to Defra expressing your view.

The Ministers responsible are Jim Paice and Caroline Spelman. The Horse passport team is on horse.passports@DEFRA.GSI.GOV.UK

In the meantime we [Tracing Equines]and the British Equestrian Federation are trying to find ways of persuading Defra to change their mind or to find ways to fund NED from within the Industry.

Unfortunately, because Defra delayed making their decision from May until the end of July (in the middle of the Olympics!), we have only a couple of weeks to find a solution.

Tracing Equines is asking people to email Defra at the above address voicing your concerns and to also sign the petition that has been set up – http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/keep-ned-open/

Trisha Grant
Tracing Equines – www.tracingequines.co.uk