HL Deb 01 December 1997 vol 583 c149WA
Lord Rowallan

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer given by Lord Donoughue on 13 November (WA 41–2), why the United Kingdom does not treat the horse as an agricultural animal when at least six of the European Union's member states do.

The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Donoughue)

Horses that are used primarily in agriculture in the UK are already treated as agricultural animals. There would be repercussions for planning and rating policies were other horses to be so treated, even though they are not used primarily in agriculture.