You are here:

Horses: Equine issues in government

19 January 2010 - Equine infectious anaemia has been detected in two horses in Wiltshire following importation from Romania via Belgium.

Defra works for:

  • the good of horses
  • people who ride, own, or work with horses; and
  • the sustainable benefits which horses bring to economies and communities.

Who does what?

The Horse Industry

The horse industry's gross output is worth approximately £4 billion per year, and attracts around 4.3 million riders, and directly or indirectly employs up to a quarter of a million people. It plays an important part in the national and especially rural economies, the social fabric of rural communities, and environmental and land management.

The industry is highly diverse. It includes large-scale commercial activities such as racing and sport horses, the leisure and recreational use of horses, and ancillary activities like farriery, equine medicine, tack and feed supply.

The Government

Jim Fitzpatrick is Minister for Food, Farming and Environment, which includes responsibility for animal health and welfare, and other equine issues.

Other public bodies

Other public bodies which relate to the horse industry include Natural England, local authorities (for example through their planning functions), the business support service Business Link, and UK Sport. More public sector links.

Page last modified: 28 January, 2010

You may also be
interested in...