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07.09.09 - Rethink the Horse Tax Website Launched
Welcome to the Rethink the Horse Tax website - an online portal through which you can make your voice heard on the Government's proposals to place an unfair new charge on horse owners.
Put simply, the Government is planning to make the horse community pay a new annual charge in order to create and run a new Government body to deal with animal health. A detailed look at the negative impact which these proposals would have on the horse sector can be found on the Campaign section of this website.
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.
- 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.
Rethink the Horse Tax is a resource for everyone involved in the UK's diverse horse community - from those involved in riding, breeding or caring for horses on a daily basis to those concerned that the Government's plans as they stand are not an effective use of either taxpayer's or horse owner's money.
So we need you make your voice heard. Via this website you can:
- Write to your local MP - still one of the most effective ways you can raise your concerns in Westminster.
- Sign a 10 Downing Street Petition
- Sign up for regular updates on the campaign
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.
This Latest News article was created on 7th September 2009
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