George Eustice MP

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for farming, food and marine environment

DEFRA

Nobel House

17 Smith Square

London SW1P 3JR

Ref: ML.N0034.CM.11.12.13

Date: 11^th December 2013

Dear George,

I am writing on behalf of a number of constituents who have contacted me with their concerns about equine care, and in particular fly grazing. They have also expressed their concerns about the possible increase of fly grazing in England along the Welsh border after the Welsh Government’s recently published ‘Control of Horses (Wales) Bill and Equine Action Plan’. I would like to know how the Government plans to address these problems.

Equine welfare charities report that a combination of the economic downturn and overbreeding has given rise to a horse welfare crisis. Minimal feeding and veterinary treatment, and fly grazing in particular, are the consequences and have led to a sharp rise in the number of equine welfare cases reported to charities. Left on the Verge, a report published in June this year, reported that over 7000 horses were at risk of needing rescue or new homes. Unfortunately, this drop in equine welfare standards has come at a time when space in animal welfare charities is both limited and under severe pressure.

Fly grazing – the placing of horses on land without permission – is at the heart of the crisis. Conservative estimates are that around 2500 horses are being fly grazed in England. Fly grazed horses are often left in inappropriate places like verges, playing fields or farmland; inevitably creating welfare problems, as the animals are left to fend for themselves. Fly grazing is not, however, solely a welfare problem; it can also present challenges for landowners, farmers, local authorities, and in some cases, can pose a risk to members of the public. The problem is compounded by the fact that the vast majority of fly grazed horses are not micro-chipped, and so their owners cannot be traced.

Tackling irresponsible ownership is key and my constituents are calling for much more to be done to enforce existing equine identification legislation. Equally, more can be done to encourage better practice in order to stem fly grazing and the overbreeding of horses.  The Government could also make simple amendments to the Animals Act 1971, to make it easier for local authorities to sequester fly grazed horses. I understand the Welsh Assembly’s ‘Control of Horses (Wales) Bill and Equine Action Plan’, introduced in October, aims to do just this.

Time is an important factor; winter is likely to make the situation worse, and, in addition, the Welsh Government’s plans to tackle the problem in the recently published ‘Control of Horses (Wales) Bill and Equine Action Plan’ raises the possibility that fly grazing in Wales will simply move over the border into England , which would only exacerbating the existing strain on equine welfare charities. On this point in particular, I would like to know how you plan to deal with this risk if the Government does not take a stronger position on horse welfare?

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,