7:00am Saturday 10th October 2009
HORSERIDERS across the UK are joining together to urge the Government to think again about imposing an “unfair tax” on every horse owner in the UK of £10.50 per animal per year.
The Rethink the Horse Tax campaign was launched by a coalition of organisations representing a cross-section of the UK horse industry.
Under the Government’s plans, yet to be debated in Parliament, horse owners would be charged on the same basis as keepers of livestock farm animals such as sheep and pigs – despite the fact that the campaign claims a significant proportion of horses are kept for leisure and sporting, rather than commercial activities, paid for from income that is already taxed.
Campaigners are further concerned that plans to create a new agency will place mounting costs on horse owners at a time when Government support is needed to help boost rural economies and encourage wider participation in outdoor sport.
It is alleged that the new body would spend much of its time collecting charges from people who own just one horse (65 per cent of horse owners), so that an estimated £2.3m would be needed to collect just £4.5m from horse owners under the plans.
Andrew Finding, chief executive of the British Equestrian Federation, said: “Through this campaign, the horse community has an opportunity to make its voice heard and send a strong message to the Government on cost sharing.
“The proposals just don’t make a convincing case on how hitting horse owners with new costs and extra bureaucracy will benefit either the equine community or taxpayers in general.”
Details of the campaign can be seen online at RethinktheHorseTax.org.
Defra’s proposals are available to view at defra.gov.uk/corporate/c onsult/new-independ e n t - b o d y - ah/index.htm.
The campaign is backed by the British Horseracing Authority, the British Equestrian Federation, the Thoroughbred Breeders'
Association, the British Horse Society, the British Equestrian Trade Association, British Equine Veterinary Association, the National Trainers Federation adn the Racecourse Owners’ Association.
Supporters are asked to take action by writing to their constituency MPs and by signing an online petition to the Prime Minister at petitions.
number10.gov.uk/Horse- Rethink/.
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