DEFRA Horse Tax Proposal


Join us in the Campaign for Fairness on Animal Health Cost Sharing


Campaigners from all sections of the equine community are joining together to call on the Government to Rethink the Horse Tax – and we need YOUR help to make it happen.

 

What’s the issue? The Government is planning to hit all horse owners with a new annual charge of £10.50 per animal. They are proposing to create an expensive new Government body responsible for dealing with animal health and collecting this new tax in all but name from animal owners. There is a growing consensus that these plans would have a negative impact on the horse community in the UK, and will place an unfair burden on both the equine sector and taxpayers generally, with very little offered in return.
 


A new animal health body as outlined by these proposals would:

  • Cost £2.3 million to set up and run;
  • Force horse owners to contribute a 20% share of these costs – with no explanation or justification for this figure;
  • Would hit small horse owners hardest – around 65% of owners have just one horse, with a further 15% owning just two;
  • Go against current Government policy on encouraging more outdoor exercise and boosting equine sport ahead of the 2012 Olympics;
  • Ignore the fact that whilst the livestock industry receives over £1 billion per year in public funding, the horse sector receives no comparable subsidy;
  • Not take into account the fact that the horseracing industry already contributes around £750,000 per year to central funding aimed at preventing and controlling infectious diseases; and
  • Force a separation of Government policy on animal health and animal welfare – when equine veterinarians have been very clear that these two are inextricably linked.

How you can help:


You can take action by visiting the new Rethink the Horse Tax campaign website here and taking the following steps:
 

Step 1: Write to Your MP – Call on your elected representative to put pressure on Ministers to change this policy! BETA have prepared a template letter you may wish to use.
 

Step 2: Sign the 10 Downing Street Petition – This policy affects millions of horse riders, breeders, owners, competitors, and spectators, as well as thousands employed by the industry. If everyone signs the Rethink the Horse Tax petition politicians will have to take notice!
 

Step 3: Join our mailing list and receive regular news updates – It only takes a second, and we’ll keep you updated on future activities and the progress of these proposals!
 

Your support for this campaign will make a difference – the proposals are still being discussed within Government so now is the time to voice your concerns and help bring about a rethink on the horse tax.
 

Thank you for your support.