Written by Administrator | 04 June 2010

The BHIC (British Horse Industry Confederation) opposes the proposed £10.50 tax levy on horse owners as proposed by Defra. A team composed of Prof. Tim Morris (BHIC Chair and Equine Science and Welfare Director of British Horse racing Authority), Jan Rogers (Head of Equine Development of the British Equestrian Federation) and Mark Weston (Director of Access, Safety and Welfare of the British Horse Society) put together a united and emphatic "No" from the horse sector.

Prof. Tim Morris, on behalf of horse owners said that the proposals were based on inaccurate facts and assumptions and the responsibility and cost sharing represents an additional cost for the horse sector since they have already been giving a significant proportion for these purposes through their tax. Furthermore, Morris said that he cannot see apparent benefits and therefore urges that authorities must not proceed with the bill in its current form.

Jan Rogers also said that the BEF has not heard anything from the equine sector who sees a single benefit on the levy, that is why it is not getting any support.

Meanwhile, Mark Weston expressed that the horse sector should not be compared with the livestock sector because it is mainly a leisure activity. Most horse owners have only one horse and they are not kept to make money and the horse industry does not receive any subsidy that the livestock industry receives, which is an estimated £1 billion annually.