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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. On 14 May, I met the British Horseracing
Authority (BHA) as well as the new independent Chair of the BHA’s newly appointed
Horse Welfare Board. This Board was formed in March 2019 and includes members from
across the racing industry, veterinarians and animal health and welfare specialists.
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 and is working on producing an equine welfare manifesto, outlining
the industry’s priorities in this area. I stressed the need for the BHA to develop
a robust action plan that will deliver tangible results, and will continue to stay
in regular contact with both the BHA and the newly appointed Horse Welfare Board to
monitor progress of key actions and to press for further improvements in racehorse
welfare.</p><p> </p>
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