BHA confronts Greens over hardline whip policy
- Bob Brogan
-
Topic Author
- Administrator
-
- Posts: 82468
- Thanks: 6445
BHA confronts Greens over hardline whip policy
10 years 4 months ago - 10 years 4 months ago
BY GRAHAM GREEN 11:30AM 27 JAN 2015
THE BHA has hit out at the Green Party for siding with racing’s fiercest critics and demanding an immediate ban of the whip among other drastic changes to the sport.
The Greens favour publishing horse deaths and injury statistics, closure of racecourses where equine fatalities are above a set number, and a betting levy to fund welfare measures.
Although previously on the fringes of British politics, a recent surge in support has resulted in the Greens overtaking the Liberal Democrats in the opinion polls. That, in turn, has prompted scrutiny of their policies.
Contained within the animal rights section of a white paper entitled Policies for a Sustainable Future, which will form the basis of its general election manifesto, the party says it would “end the exploitation of animals in horseracing, greyhound racing and all situations where animals are commercially raced”, adding, “there would be an immediate ban on the use of the whip”.
The policy also states: “There would be . . . full publication of injury and death statistics. These statistics would be used as evidence to close dangerous tracks and ban trainers with poor records . . . A high level of compulsory levy would be imposed on all betting, to be used solely for welfare improvements.”
BHA media manager Robin Mounsey said on Monday: "To be clear, thoroughbred horses bred for racing are not exploited and we fundamentally reject this suggestion.
"Among an equine population estimated to be around a million in Britain, racehorses are among the healthiest and best-looked-after two per cent of horses in the country.
"British racing is among the world’s best-regulated animal activities, and welfare standards within it by far exceed those of animal welfare legislation.
"The BHA is the government-recognised body responsible for the regulation of horseracing. At its heart is the welfare of the sport’s participants and, together with the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare, it is a leading signatory of the National Equine Welfare Protocol.
"Both the coalition government and leading opposition parties support British racing, as evidenced by their endorsement of a new, sustainable funding mechanism.
"They recognise that our industry is a significant economic contributor, generating annual economic impact of £3.45 billion and supporting the equivalent of 17,400 full-time jobs at the heart of rural communities the length and breadth of the United Kingdom."
Mounsey added: "We welcome scrutiny of equine welfare policies and would be happy to demonstrate to the Green Party the high welfare standards that exist within British racing and how the sport already exceeds most of the key requirements laid out in their policy proposals."
THE BHA has hit out at the Green Party for siding with racing’s fiercest critics and demanding an immediate ban of the whip among other drastic changes to the sport.
The Greens favour publishing horse deaths and injury statistics, closure of racecourses where equine fatalities are above a set number, and a betting levy to fund welfare measures.
Although previously on the fringes of British politics, a recent surge in support has resulted in the Greens overtaking the Liberal Democrats in the opinion polls. That, in turn, has prompted scrutiny of their policies.
Contained within the animal rights section of a white paper entitled Policies for a Sustainable Future, which will form the basis of its general election manifesto, the party says it would “end the exploitation of animals in horseracing, greyhound racing and all situations where animals are commercially raced”, adding, “there would be an immediate ban on the use of the whip”.
The policy also states: “There would be . . . full publication of injury and death statistics. These statistics would be used as evidence to close dangerous tracks and ban trainers with poor records . . . A high level of compulsory levy would be imposed on all betting, to be used solely for welfare improvements.”
BHA media manager Robin Mounsey said on Monday: "To be clear, thoroughbred horses bred for racing are not exploited and we fundamentally reject this suggestion.
"Among an equine population estimated to be around a million in Britain, racehorses are among the healthiest and best-looked-after two per cent of horses in the country.
"British racing is among the world’s best-regulated animal activities, and welfare standards within it by far exceed those of animal welfare legislation.
"The BHA is the government-recognised body responsible for the regulation of horseracing. At its heart is the welfare of the sport’s participants and, together with the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare, it is a leading signatory of the National Equine Welfare Protocol.
"Both the coalition government and leading opposition parties support British racing, as evidenced by their endorsement of a new, sustainable funding mechanism.
"They recognise that our industry is a significant economic contributor, generating annual economic impact of £3.45 billion and supporting the equivalent of 17,400 full-time jobs at the heart of rural communities the length and breadth of the United Kingdom."
Mounsey added: "We welcome scrutiny of equine welfare policies and would be happy to demonstrate to the Green Party the high welfare standards that exist within British racing and how the sport already exceeds most of the key requirements laid out in their policy proposals."
Last edit: 10 years 4 months ago by Bob Brogan.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
