§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department is taking to prevent the potential loss of native-breed, semi-feral horse bloodlines; and what plans he has to introduce a compulsory register for all equines. [52101]
§ Mr. RookerThe various semi-feral horse breed societies and associations do a lot of valuable work in preserving, maintaining and promoting semi-feral horse breeds. The Government believe the breed societies themselves are best placed to do this work. The Zootechnical Standards Regulations 1992 already exist to protect recognised horse breed societies and their members. The Government have no plans to introduce a compulsory register for all equines.