Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of establishing an independent body to oversee horse welfare in the UK.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
The Government shares the public's high regard for animal welfare, and we are committed to enhancing our status as a world leader in the protection of animals. The Action Plan for Animal Welfare is an ambitious plan which sets out an overview of the Government's main priorities on animal welfare and conservation. In the action plan, we have committed to ensuring that the equine sector addresses key welfare issues such as racehorse fatality levels.
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the 2006 Act) it is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal. Anyone who is cruel to an animal faces being sent to prison for up to 5 years, or receiving an unlimited fine, or both. The 2006 Act is backed up by the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids which provides owners with information on how to meet the welfare needs of their equines. The Code makes clear that owners are responsible for meeting the horse's need for safe and suitable shelter and pasture, whether this is through a livery yard, rented land or land that they own. The Code can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/700200/horses-welfare-codes-of-practice-april2018.pdf
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 were developed to help improve welfare standards across a range of activities involving animals that are licensed by local authorities. Under these regulations, hiring out horses in the course of a business for riding or instruction in riding and selling animals as pets in the course of a business are both licensable activities. This includes riding schools, trekking, loan horses, pony parties, hunter hirelings, polo/polocrosse instruction, pony hire, pony and donkey rides.
The Animal Welfare Committee is an expert committee that advises the Department on the welfare of animals. This includes farmed, companion and wild animals kept by people. Please see further details here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/animal-welfare-committee-awc
Defra considers that current legislation and guidance provides the right safeguards and powers in respect of protecting horse welfare. We will continue to engage with key stakeholders to see if more can be done to spread best practice among horse owners, as well as increased partnership working with the equine welfare sector in order to tackle equine welfare issues.
Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department are taking to ensure a reduction in the number of foals being produced in the UK every year .
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
The Government shares the public's high regard for animal welfare, and we are committed to making the UK a world leader in the protection of animals, including horses.
To promote responsible ownership, there is clear guidance available to educate and remind horse owners of their responsibilities to provide for the welfare needs of their animal. The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids makes clear that you should consider buying or rehoming a youngster before taking the decision to breed. The foal’s individual future must also be considered before breeding from your equine, and the code highlights the UK’s overpopulation problem at the time of publication. The Code can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/700200/horses-welfare-codes-of-practice-april2018.pdf
Further information on responsible breeding is available to the public, including World Horse Welfare’s “Need to Breed” initiative which can be found here: https://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/advice/management/do-you-need-to-breed.
We continue to have close engagement with key stakeholders in the equine sector and are monitoring the situation regarding the supply of foals.
Asked by: Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat - Westmorland and Lonsdale)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to ensure that animal rescue centres are properly licensed.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
The Government continues to take positive action to protect and improve the welfare of animals.
The recently published Action Plan for Animal Welfare demonstrates our commitment to a brighter future for animals both at home and abroad. Our reform programme includes pursuing the licensing of animal sanctuaries and rescue and rehoming centres including for cats, dogs and horses. Defra has been engaging with rescue and rehoming organisations to understand their views and the possible impacts of regulating the sector. Any proposals to bring forward licensing regulations will be subject to a consultation.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of banning the slaughter of horses in abattoirs.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
The Government is committed to the highest standards of animal welfare when animals are slaughtered or killed. Legislation sets out strict requirements to protect the welfare of horses when slaughtered. These requirements are monitored and enforced by Official Veterinarians of the Food Standards Agency to ensure that animals are spared avoidable pain, distress or suffering during the slaughter process.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps owners are required to take to rehome horses before sending them to an abattoir.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 places a legal duty of care on owners and keepers for the animals for which they are responsible on a permanent or temporary basis. It is an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare. The 2006 Act is backed up by the statutory Code of Practice (CoP) for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids which provides owners with information on how to meet the welfare needs of their animals as required by the 2006 Act: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-of-practice-for-the-welfare-of-horses-ponies-donkeys-and-their-hybrids
As set out in the CoP, horse owners should proactively develop a plan for a horse’s end of life in order to prevent unnecessary pain and distress. Owners are responsible for making any decisions to euthanise a horse or to explore alternative arrangements such as rehoming the animal where it may be appropriate and in the best interests of the horse's welfare to do so. The Blue Cross provides advice on responsible rehoming of a horse: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/responsible-equine-rehoming. World Horse Welfare provides advice on end of life decision making: https://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/advice/management/end-of-life . The British Horseracing Authority also provides advice on life after racing for racehorses: https://www.britishhorseracing.com/regulation/life-after-racing/
Considerations for euthanasia may include when a horse's quality of life has deteriorated significantly, for example due to chronic or age-related conditions. We encourage owners to seek veterinary opinion in such circumstances. If a decision is taken to end a horse's life, it must be humanely destroyed by a vet or a suitably qualified, experienced and equipped person, such as a licensed slaughterman.
Asked by: Paul Maynard (Conservative - Blackpool North and Cleveleys)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his policy is on licensing (a) livery yards and horse breeders and (b) animal sanctuaries.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
The Government continues to take positive action to protect and improve the welfare of animals. Licensing schemes brought in since 2010 include The Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010 and The Welfare of Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (England) Regulations 2012 which expired on 19 January 2020.
In addition, the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations were introduced in 2018. These regulations were developed to help improve welfare standards across a range of activities involving animals including animal boarding and pet selling establishments, dog breeders and establishments exhibiting animals or hiring out horses. Further guidance on which activities might be considered in scope of requiring a licence to hire out horses can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/936833/animal-welfare-licensing-hiring-out-horses.pdf
The recently published Action Plan for Animal Welfare demonstrates our commitment to a brighter future for animals both at home and abroad. Our reform programme includes pursuing the licensing of animal sanctuaries and rescue and rehoming centres including for cats, dogs and horses. Defra has been engaging with rescue and rehoming organisations to understand their views and the possible impacts of regulating the sector. Any Proposals to bring forward licensing regulations will be subject to a consultation.
There are currently no plans to license horse breeders or livery yards (which provide stabling and grazing facilities for owners of horses and ponies) from an animal welfare perspective. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 animal owners and keepers are under a legal duty of care for the animals for which they are responsible on a permanent or temporary basis. The 2006 Act is backed up by the statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys, and their Hybrids. The Code provides information on considerations to be taken into account before deciding to breed from your horse. It also makes clear that owners are responsible for meeting the horse’s need for safe and suitable shelter and pasture, whether this is through a livery yard, rented land or land that you own. The Code can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/700200/horses-welfare-codes-of-practice-april2018.pdf
Asked by: Paul Maynard (Conservative - Blackpool North and Cleveleys)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what licensing schemes have been put in place for animal establishments since 2010.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
The Government continues to take positive action to protect and improve the welfare of animals. Licensing schemes brought in since 2010 include The Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010 and The Welfare of Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (England) Regulations 2012 which expired on 19 January 2020.
In addition, the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations were introduced in 2018. These regulations were developed to help improve welfare standards across a range of activities involving animals including animal boarding and pet selling establishments, dog breeders and establishments exhibiting animals or hiring out horses. Further guidance on which activities might be considered in scope of requiring a licence to hire out horses can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/936833/animal-welfare-licensing-hiring-out-horses.pdf
The recently published Action Plan for Animal Welfare demonstrates our commitment to a brighter future for animals both at home and abroad. Our reform programme includes pursuing the licensing of animal sanctuaries and rescue and rehoming centres including for cats, dogs and horses. Defra has been engaging with rescue and rehoming organisations to understand their views and the possible impacts of regulating the sector. Any Proposals to bring forward licensing regulations will be subject to a consultation.
There are currently no plans to license horse breeders or livery yards (which provide stabling and grazing facilities for owners of horses and ponies) from an animal welfare perspective. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 animal owners and keepers are under a legal duty of care for the animals for which they are responsible on a permanent or temporary basis. The 2006 Act is backed up by the statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys, and their Hybrids. The Code provides information on considerations to be taken into account before deciding to breed from your horse. It also makes clear that owners are responsible for meeting the horse’s need for safe and suitable shelter and pasture, whether this is through a livery yard, rented land or land that you own. The Code can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/700200/horses-welfare-codes-of-practice-april2018.pdf
Asked by: Robert Halfon (Conservative - Harlow)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals on the licensing of tethered horses.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
With reference to the answers I gave to the Rt Hon Member on 13 April 2021 to PQs 174090 and 174091, the Government considers that current legislation and guidance provides the right safeguards and powers in respect of horse tethering. However, we will continue to engage with key stakeholders to see if more can be done to promote best practice among horse owners and to optimise partnership working to tackle the issue of inappropriate horse tethering.
Asked by: Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op) - Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to reduce the number of horses being allowed by their owners to stray.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, animal owners and keepers are under a legal duty of care for the animals for which they are responsible on a permanent or temporary basis. It is an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare. The 2006 Act is backed up by the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids which provides owners with information on how to meet the welfare needs of their equines, as required by the 2006 Act. That includes ensuring the animal has a suitable environment to live in and is protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
The Control of Horses Act 2015 introduced more flexible options for the management of fly-grazing, straying or abandoned horses which present numerous difficulties for landowners, the public and the horses themselves. The 2015 Act allows landowners and occupiers to seize and, if necessary, remove horses unlawfully left on their land and take them immediately to a place of safety. In all cases, the person seizing the horse must notify the local police force within 24 hours of doing so, and if the horses' owners can be identified, the person must also notify them. If no owner can be identified within four working days, landowners, occupiers and local authorities may then decide what to do with the horses, including rehoming, either privately or via charities, or offering them for sale.
The Government considers that the relevant legislation and guidance in place provides the right safeguards and powers in respect of protecting equine welfare and addressing the issue of straying horses. We remain committed to working with enforcement agencies and other interested parties to ensure issues of horse abandonments or neglect are effectively addressed.
Asked by: Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op) - Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the risks posed by stray horses.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, animal owners and keepers are under a legal duty of care for the animals for which they are responsible on a permanent or temporary basis. It is an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare. The 2006 Act is backed up by the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids which provides owners with information on how to meet the welfare needs of their equines, as required by the 2006 Act. That includes ensuring the animal has a suitable environment to live in and is protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
The Control of Horses Act 2015 introduced more flexible options for the management of fly-grazing, straying or abandoned horses which present numerous difficulties for landowners, the public and the horses themselves. The 2015 Act allows landowners and occupiers to seize and, if necessary, remove horses unlawfully left on their land and take them immediately to a place of safety. In all cases, the person seizing the horse must notify the local police force within 24 hours of doing so, and if the horses' owners can be identified, the person must also notify them. If no owner can be identified within four working days, landowners, occupiers and local authorities may then decide what to do with the horses, including rehoming, either privately or via charities, or offering them for sale.
The Government considers that the relevant legislation and guidance in place provides the right safeguards and powers in respect of protecting equine welfare and addressing the issue of straying horses. We remain committed to working with enforcement agencies and other interested parties to ensure issues of horse abandonments or neglect are effectively addressed.