Control of Horses Bill clears next hurdle towards becoming law

The Control of Horses Bill passed Committee Stage today (8 January) and moves on to its final stage in the House of Commons.

It is hoped that the Bill, tabled by the Member of Parliament for York Outer, Julian Sturdy, will be given an early date for Report and Third Reading.

Fly grazing is the practice of grazing horses on private or public land without the landowner's permission and involves well over 3,000 horses each year.

Currently farmers and landowners, local authorities, animal welfare charities and vets are hampered in their efforts to deal with fly grazing horses because action depends on identifying owners who are absent.

The Countryside Alliance has united with welfare groups to champion this Bill that would give local authorities and landowners greater powers to tackle the problem.

Countryside Alliance executive chairman Barney White-Spunner said: "Fly grazing is a practice that wreaks havoc in the countryside and can mean great misery to landowners and the mistreated horses alike.

"Until now the legal powers to address the problem have been lacking but if this Bill is passed it will be a significant step forward for animal welfare and landowners' rights.

"We now call on the Government to ensure the Bill completes its passage in the Commons as swiftly as possible and that peers in the House of Lords give it their support so it will be on the Statute Book before the end of this Parliament."

For more information, contact the Countryside Alliance press office on 0207 8409220 and 07500 834163 or email [email protected]