Thank you very much for contacting me about equine welfare and identification of horses.
The UK has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and I agree that it is right for us to cement our status as a global leader by continuing to raise the bar.
As a general point about the welfare of horses and ponies, my colleagues and I in the Welsh Conservatives have long campaigned for better regulation and enforcement of animal welfare legislation in Wales, including pressing for changes to fly grazing legislation. However, I am concerned by remaining problems regarding their enforcement by local authorities.
I was also encouraged to learn that, from 12 February 2021, it became mandatory for owners to microchip their horses, ponies and donkeys in Wales, allowing local authorities and police to track down the owners of abandoned horses, and ensure that appropriate action is taken. I am also aware that the UK Government’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare committed to considering changes to equine identification and traceability to improve biosecurity and animal welfare, and that UK Ministers intend to consult on proposals later this year.
Local authorities are also required to enforce legislation surrounding the licensing of businesses that hire out horses for riding, or instruction in riding, and requires inspectors to be suitably qualified. Local authority animal welfare inspectors also carry out inspections in relation to welfare in transport and on-farm welfare. I would, therefore, expect most local authorities to have inspectors trained in enforcing equine welfare more generally.
As a result, my colleague, Sam Kurtz MS, Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, has asked the Minister for Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths MS, about the Welsh Government’s plans for a digitised Equine ID system in the Senedd, however we are disappointed in her lack of response on such an important issue. Rest assured, Welsh Conservatives will continue to press the Minister in this area.
Thank you again for taking the time to write to me.