New powers for landowners dealing with fly-grazed horses

From today farmers and other landowners dealing with horses illegally abandoned on their land can take swifter action to resolve the problem.

The Control of Horses Act for England started life as a Private Members’ Bill championed by York Outer MP Julian Sturdy, following years of lobbying by the NFU, other farming stakeholders and horse charities. It successfully passed through Parliament and gained Royal Assent on March 26.

Thousands of farmers and landowners across the country are affected every year and many describe the impacts on their businesses as “devastating”.

The CLA, which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses, worked closely with a coalition of rural organisations and animal welfare charities to drive the Private Members’ Bill through Parliament following its introduction by Julian Sturdy MP in 2014.

Landowners can now take fly-grazed horses to a place of safety immediately, notifying local police within 24 hours. If no owner is identified in four working days, the landowner can take action such as re-homing the horses to charities or selling them privately.

CLA President Henry Robinson said: “We pressed for this new law so that farmers and landowners can act for swift resolution when faced with the problem of horses illegally abandoned on their land.

“Fly-grazed horses can damage land, crops and fencing, restrict space for livestock and cost money to provide for their welfare and safety. It has been very difficult, time consuming and expensive for landowners to deal with these situations but from today they can take swifter action to resolve the problem by, for example, re-homing the horses to charities or privately.”

NFU Deputy President Minette Batters said: “After many years of lobbying for improved powers, our members will be reassured that from today their problems with horses being grazed illegally on their land will be taken seriously.

“Fly-grazed horses threaten the livelihood of farmers, damage land, divert local authority resources and risk the safety of motorists when they escape on to roads. This new legislation will enable farmers and landowners to remove unwanted horses quickly and effectively while action will be less expensive to take.

“The NFU would like to publicly thank York Outer MP Julian Sturdy for his tenacity and interest in this issue and for helping to raise the problems of fly-grazing on a national scale.”

Commenting, Julian Sturdy MP, said: “It is fantastic news that farmers and local councils will now have the tools they need to rescue horses that are being illegally fly-grazed. I was fortunate enough to have received the full support of a wide range of animal welfare and countryside organisations, who were united in their goal to see these changes brought into force. There is now no excuse for allowing horses and ponies to be abandoned to a lifetime of neglect and I hope to see many more animals rehomed in the near future.”

To help its members deal with the problem, the NFU has produced a ‘Fly-grazing Farmer Information Pack’ containing a wealth of information including useful tips on prevention, guidance on action that can be taken and signs for on-farm use. It also includes information on the legislative framework associated with fly-grazing, which will be updated as necessary.

In addition, some financial assistance will be available to members subscribing to the NFU’s Legal Assistance Scheme – providing a fixed-rate contribution towards the cost of bailiff-assisted removal, as well as other methods set out in the pack.