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<p>The Government is keen that the welfare needs of racehorses are well met, both
during their racing lives and afterwards. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA)
is responsible for the safety of racehorses at British racecourses and the BHA works
alongside the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare to make horseracing as safe as possible.</p><p>
</p><p>In relation to starting stalls, the incidence of stalls fatalities is low.
In 2018 there was one stalls fatality over the course of 6,591 flat races. In addition
the BHA Starting Team discuss any incident which occurs in the stalls with Veterinary
Officers and staff handlers to improve safety.</p><p> </p><p>However, both I and the
BHA consider that more can be done to make horseracing safer in general which is why
I have been holding regular discussions with the BHA about this. Most recently on
the 14 May, I met with the BHA as well as the new independent Chair of the BHA’s newly
appointed Horse Welfare Board. This was a constructive meeting where the number of
fatalities of racehorses was acknowledged and both sides agreed that further action
is required to tackle avoidable harm and make the sport safer.</p><p> </p><p>The Board
committed to doing all it can to improve welfare outcomes. I stressed the need for
the BHA in conjunction with the Horse Welfare Board to develop a robust action plan
that will deliver tangible results and intend to stay in regular contact with both
the BHA and newly appointed Horse Welfare Board to continue to press for improvements
in racehorse welfare.</p>
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