03-08-10 - Official Government Response to the Rethink the Horse Tax Petition to the PM

Government confirms that it will not take “horse tax” proposals forward

The Government has published an official response to the e-Petition signed by almost 13,000 people as part of the successful Rethink the Horse Tax campaign. The response confirms that the “horse tax” will not be taken forward.

The Government’s response:

Concerns have been raised by horse owners and the horse industry about the previous Government’s proposals on Responsibility and Cost Sharing (RCS), particularly the establishment of an independent body for animal health. The previous Government’s proposals will not be taken forward by the Coalition Government.

The Coalition Government is committed to investigating ways to share with livestock keepers the responsibility of preparing for and dealing with outbreaks of animal disease. Jim Paice, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food, met Rosemary Radcliffe, the independent Chair of the RCS Advisory Group, of which Tim Morris of the British Horse Industry Confederation is a member, earlier this month. The Advisory Group will report their findings to Ministers in December 2010. The Coalition Government will draw closely upon the Group’s advice in developing a new approach to RCS.

Link to view online: http://www.hmg.gov.uk/epetition-responses/petition-view.aspx?epref=Horse-Rethink

A big thank you to everyone who signed the petition and helped to bring this issue to the attention of Government and Parliament – your fantastic response has helped to make this campaign a success.

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This Latest News article was created on 3rd August 2010

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