FLY GRAZING AND HORSE WELFARE

Early day motion 785, tabled 25 November 2013 by Alan Meale (Labour). Signed by 39 members.

That this House is aware that throughout the UK a crisis is currently taking place in the horse industry whereby, because of austerity, lowered market values and lesser demand, coupled with the increasing costs of owning and caring for an animal, many owners have been left in the situation of neither being able to look after nor sell their horses, a situation which has led to many horses being subjected to neglect, abandonment or kept by fly grazing, a practice which sees horses left on land without the landowner's permission; notes that at the present time many equine charities are full to bursting point; and calls on the Government to make the necessary financial arrangements available to deal with this important matter.

Signatures by party: Labour 19, Liberal Democrat 7, DUP 3, Plaid Cymru 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Green 1, Independent 1, Respect 1, Scottish National Party 1.