Status of the Horse
From time to time we are asked if the horse is an agricultural animal, and what its 'status' is in the law of this country and of the European Union
The following note explains the current position -
Under domestic legislation only horses that are used to farm agricultural land or are farmed for meat or hides can be said to be agricultural animals. By contrast European Union legislation treats the horse as a food producing animal, reflecting the fact that horsemeat is eaten in some Member States.
Defra and the British Horse Industry Confederation (BHIC) published a Strategy for the Horse Industry in England and Wales in 2005, which aims to foster a robust and sustainable horse industry, increase its economic value, enhance the welfare of the horse, and develop the industry’s contribution to the cultural, social, educational, health and sporting life of the nation.
The Strategy considers the status of the horse, and suggests the industry need to reach a shared view on this. As the Strategy states, some people consider that domestic legislation should class the horse as an ‘agricultural animal’ as they feel that this classification would automatically lead to the horse industry being granted the same benefits, under the fiscal and planning systems, as farming. Others feel that the horse should be defined as a companion animal, or should have its own status within agriculture as a production animal for sport, leisure and potentially food. Any change in the treatment of horse enterprises or the classification of the horse would require a convincing case for change, and all the possible repercussions for the rest of the industry would need to be carefully considered. What may help one part of the industry, could damage another.
The BHIC is committed to establishing a group representing all parts of the industry to determine whether the status of the horse is a significant issue, and if so, to establish an Industry-wide position and make a convincing case for change. The British Equestrian Trade Association is leading on this issue on behalf of the industry. You can contact BETA at www.beta-uk.org.
Page last modified:
29 May, 2008
Page published: 11 November, 2003