Control of Horses Bill is to become law

The Horse Trust is pleased to report the Control of Horses Bill has been passed Bill by the House of Lords and will soon become law.

The equine and country sectors have been working together, with the support of enforcement agencies to achieve this new improved legislation.

The Control of Horses Bill (England) makes changes to the Animals Act 1971 (the law most frequently used to address fly-grazing cases) and reduces the period landowners have to keep any horses placed on their land to only four working days (opposed to the current two weeks). It will also give more choice in the disposal of the horses besides public sale – such as gifting them to a charity, selling them privately or, if in the best interests of the horse, humane euthanasia.

The Bill, guided through the House of Lords by Horse Trust President Baroness Mallalieu QC, will receive Royal Assent next week and become law two months afterwards.

Horse Trust CEO and Chair of the Equine Sector Council Steering Group, Jeanette Allen said “We are thrilled at this news. It is a wonderful example of how organisations can come together to make a real difference. Thousands of fly grazed and neglected horses and ponies could benefit from this momentous legislation”.