26 June 2000

MAFF Launches Horse Action Plan

Following the Government's Agriculture Summit in March, the Ministry for Agriculture Fisheries and Food, (MAFF) was given responsibility under the Action Plan for working with the horse industry to develop its potential for rural-based employment. As part of the plan, MAFF's Minister with lead responsibility for the horse industry, Baroness Hayman, visited Animal Health Trust's equine centre research programme which focuses on infectious diseases, vaccine development' epidemiology, and equine genetics. Baroness Hayman also toured the National Stud to disscuss the training and tourism aspects of the breeding industry and then on to a farm where a thoroughbred stud is run alongside a traditional arable farm. The Government is to consult publicly on proposals to extend rate relief to various horse enterprises linked to farm premises and will revise planning guidance to give clear encouragement to diversification, for example to use redundant farm buildings and to encourage small-scale horse enterprises on working farms. Baroness Hayman said: "The Action Plan for farming made clear our recognition of the importance of horse-related activities to the rural economy and we are taking a range of actions to help encourage developments in this area."