Horse welfare: 'fly grazing'

• Parliament TV: Watch the evidence session on horse welfare
• Inquiry: Horse welfare
• Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Witnesses

2.30pm, Wednesday 3 September 2014, Wilson Room, Portcullis House

At 2.30pm:

• David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs, RSPCA
• Lee Hackett, Director of Equine Policy, British Horse Society
• Roly Owers, Chief Executive, World Horse Welfare

At 3pm:

• Henry Robinson, President, CLA
• Minette Batters, Deputy President, NFU
• Steven Gale, Animal Health and Welfare Officer, Stockton on Tees Borough Council

At 3.30pm:

• Joseph G Jones, Spokesman, Gypsy Council
• Bill Forrester, Chair, National Association of Gypsy and Traveller Officers
• John Grant, Spokesman, Traveller and Animal Welfare Issues

At 4pm:

• Lord de Mauley, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• Sue Ellis, Head of the Animal Welfare Team, Defra
• Andrew Bishop, Head of Livestock and Equine Identification and Animal Movements Teams, Defra

Definition of "horse fly-grazing"

The term "horse fly-grazing" describes the practice of leaving horses to graze on public or private land without the permission of the owner or occupier of the land. It contributes to poor horse welfare and also creates social, economic and environmental harm in affected communities.

Additional issues of public safety may arise if fly-grazed horses stray onto public highways or other hazardous sites. This evidence session will explore the nature of the problem, the factors driving it, and potential solutions.

Further information

• About Parliament: Select Committees
• Visit Parliament: Select Committees