Administrative and cost barriers linked to overburdensome regulations, as well as a financial settlement in bad need of reform, threaten British horseracing and breeding.
This was the clear message from representatives of the sport's racing, breeding and transportation sectors when they recently sat down in Newmarket to meet with Dr Neil Hudson, the Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy.
Dr Hudson is a veterinary surgeon by background, with specialised training and experience in Equine Medicine.
Dr Hudson and Mr Timothy were later given a tour of Newmarket Equine Hospital by its Managing Director, fellow equine veterinary surgeon David Dugdale, viewing the clinic and its facilities.
Industry representatives are pushing for important concessions that will streamline the movement of Thoroughbreds.
Dr Neil Hudson MP for Epping Forest, Shadow DEFRA Minister, and veterinary surgeon said:
“I want to thank the equine sector representatives for meeting with us and raising their thoughts and concerns. We have got to make sure British horse racing and breeding is supported moving forwards. It is a fantastic sector and vital to the local and wider economy.
“To keep the equine sector resilient we must protect biosecurity whilst also ensuring smooth and safe movement of high health status approved horses. This can be achieved, and the Government fully investing in the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and progressing with digital equine identification and traceability would be a good start.”
Nick Timothy MP for West Suffolk said:
“This was a hugely useful meeting, and we were pleased to be joined by those from some of the leading stud farms in the UK. It is very clear that high health horses should not be subject to routine checks at the border, as I have said to ministers in Parliament.
"At the same time, we need robust biosecurity safeguards and the health certification system needs to be evenly and effectively enforced. The Government needs to deliver an international agreement on Thoroughbred movement that is fit for purpose and protects Britain’s second favourite sport.
“It is also deeply concerning that development of a digital equine identification and traceability scheme has been put on hold by the Government, with financial constraints given as the excuse. The Government needs to pull its finger out on the introduction of this ID system, which would help facilitate the movement of racehorses across borders.”
