Equine Infectious Anaemia - £1?

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I know there is only one case so far confirmed in the UK and its in Cornwall, which shouldn't make people panic. But if my horse gets it for any reason, what does it actually mean?

If I've got this right - if your horse is confirmed having it even though it may be perfectly healthy, it will have to be put down? There would also be a huge amount of pressure to do so due to the way it is spread.

If it is and it isn't' because of humane destruction - which it wouldn't be in this example, then the insurance wouldn't pay.

Getting to my point, why oh why is this the declared compensation:-

"Compensation for equine animals slaughtered for equine infectious anaemia

2.—(1) Where the Secretary of State causes a diseased equine animal to be slaughtered under the powers conferred by section 32 of the Animal Health Act 1981 in its application to equine infectious anaemia, the amount of compensation payable in relation to that animal is £1.00.

(2) In this article, a “diseased equine animal” means a mammal which is confirmed to be affected with equine infectious anaemia by an appropriate laboratory test."

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/2740/article/2/made

If I had a cow destroyed due to foot and mouth the compensation according to defra is:

"Under the Animal Health Act 1981, compensation is paid for animals that are compulsorily culled to prevent the spread of certain diseases. For foot and mouth disease (Foot and Mouth Disease), the Act requires that compensation is paid at the full market value of the animal before it became infected."

Even for TB a bovine would receive a minimum of £64?

So if a horse is put down because it has EIA, the owner will get a measly £1?????

I'm not sure how this disease made it to the UK and to me my horses about the money, but to not even cover your destruction cost seems very unfair?

Anyone else?
 
It does seem to be hitting you when you are down! I didn't realise that for a TB bovine you would get £64 and foot and mouth you get the full market value... The discrepancy seems a bit unfair... Intreagued to know why... Although sincerely hope that EIA is never serious enough in this country for it to be a problem!!
 
I don't know about the compensation, but I wonder about the necessity of destruction. In North America, there is at least the possibility of a permanently quarantined yard, which contains only EIA-positive animals. At such a yard, carrier animals that are otherwise healthy can lead a normal life.

Of course, to attend a competition in North America, you have to prove that your animal tested negative that year with a current Coggins test (or at least that's how it used to be when I was a kid), which makes it a bit easier to police such a special arrangement.

Thoughts?
 
I guess the Market value of a cow is relatively easy to arrive at save the odd champion bull. The Market value of a horse is less exacting but like you I don't see how they arrive at £1

I guess you could argue that people with cattle almost always rely on them for income.
 
WelshD said:
I guess the Market value of a cow is relatively easy to arrive at save the odd champion bull. The Market value of a horse is less exacting but like you I don't see how they arrive at £1

I guess you could argue that people with cattle almost always rely on them for income.
Click to expand...

Ive often thought that the market value was a very subjective and speculative thing, so many things dictating different valuations, but I have also sometimes thought that there should be 'specialists' recognised and identified with some national level of training who are required by the insurance companies to sign off on valuations. I know this would have people up in arms but its no different than going off the 'book price' of a car, true there are far more ins and outs, but fair valuers who knew their market, breeding lines etc would develop a good reputation and be fair. I suppose the other argument is you could always have people who could be 'paid off' to over value a horse... yet its a start.

With regards to the topic of the thread, I do think at least compensation for disposal costs should be provided.
 
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