MP SUPPORTS THE CALL TO STOP BRANDING EXMOOR PONIES
January 28, 2010 2:15 PM
Following the Scottish Government's decision not to authorise any further licences for the hot branding of Exmoor ponies in Scotland, pending a consultation, Nick Harvey says, "While I am very supportive of the People4ponies initiative, to get the law changed in England will require a significant ground swell amongst the pony and horse community."
"Defra stated, in their response to my previous lobbying, the 2007 Regulations followed a public consultation, in which the majority remained in favour of the practice. In addition the real loophole lies with the EU legislation which allows for the exemption of semi-feral ponies from microchipping.
"I have since been canvassing the views of the equine community. As I understand it hot branding is employed by the Exmoor Pony Society, as well on ponies on Exmoor, Dartmoor, the Welsh mountains, the New Forest and Scotland and by a number of British warm blood studbooks.
"The Exmoor Pony Society is not in favour of a ban. EPS and the New Forest Pony Society have said it would not be practical and the Hill Pony Improvement Societies of Wales (HPISW) have got an exemption from chipping as has the British Hanoverian Horse Society (which continues to use branding).
"According to the National Pony Society and Scottish Exmoor Pony Riding Club it is an issue of individual choice by members. It is also the case that the British Veterinary Association cannot agree with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons on the issue.
"Clearly the acid test in Scotland will be the outcome of the consultation process."
For more information Contact:
Paul & Sulla King
People4Ponies
Horseford Farm
East Worlington
Nr. Witheridge
Devon EX17 4SU
Tel./Fax No. (+44) 01884 860252
Email: people4ponies@yahoo.co.uk
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats