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1305116

registered interest
date	23/03/2021
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Horses: Animal Welfare
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to review the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and their Hybrids.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	174088
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/04/2021 answer text <p>This country leads the way in animal welfare, including setting standards for horse welfare. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, all owners and keepers of horses must provide for the welfare needs of their animals. I consider that current legislation and guidance provides the right safeguards and powers in respect of horse tethering. However, we will continue to engage with key stakeholders to see if more can be done to spread best practice among horse owners as well as increased partnership working in order to tackle the issue of inappropriate horse tethering.</p><p> </p><p>Tethering can be a useful equine temporary management tool when it is used appropriately. The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids provides owners and keepers with general welfare information, including a specific section on the tethering of a horse. Whilst it is not an offence to breach the Code, if proceedings are brought against someone for a welfare offence under the 2006 Act, (including failing to tether a horse appropriately and ensuring that it’s welfare needs are met) it could be used as evidence in support of those proceedings.</p><p> </p><p>The equine welfare sector promotes good welfare practice through their respective websites and via social media for example the National Equine Welfare Council’s compendium: <a href="http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/" target="_blank">http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/</a></p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 174089 174090 174091 question first answered 13/04/2021 14:35:43 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1305119

registered interest
date	23/03/2021
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Horses: Animal Welfare
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to reduce the practice of horse tethering.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	174089
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/04/2021 answer text <p>This country leads the way in animal welfare, including setting standards for horse welfare. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, all owners and keepers of horses must provide for the welfare needs of their animals. I consider that current legislation and guidance provides the right safeguards and powers in respect of horse tethering. However, we will continue to engage with key stakeholders to see if more can be done to spread best practice among horse owners as well as increased partnership working in order to tackle the issue of inappropriate horse tethering.</p><p> </p><p>Tethering can be a useful equine temporary management tool when it is used appropriately. The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids provides owners and keepers with general welfare information, including a specific section on the tethering of a horse. Whilst it is not an offence to breach the Code, if proceedings are brought against someone for a welfare offence under the 2006 Act, (including failing to tether a horse appropriately and ensuring that it’s welfare needs are met) it could be used as evidence in support of those proceedings.</p><p> </p><p>The equine welfare sector promotes good welfare practice through their respective websites and via social media for example the National Equine Welfare Council’s compendium: <a href="http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/" target="_blank">http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/</a></p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 174088 174090 174091 question first answered 13/04/2021 14:35:43 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1305122

registered interest
date	23/03/2021
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Horses: Animal Welfare
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has plans to bring forward legislative proposals to ban the practice of horse tethering.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	174090
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/04/2021 answer text <p>This country leads the way in animal welfare, including setting standards for horse welfare. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, all owners and keepers of horses must provide for the welfare needs of their animals. I consider that current legislation and guidance provides the right safeguards and powers in respect of horse tethering. However, we will continue to engage with key stakeholders to see if more can be done to spread best practice among horse owners as well as increased partnership working in order to tackle the issue of inappropriate horse tethering.</p><p> </p><p>Tethering can be a useful equine temporary management tool when it is used appropriately. The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids provides owners and keepers with general welfare information, including a specific section on the tethering of a horse. Whilst it is not an offence to breach the Code, if proceedings are brought against someone for a welfare offence under the 2006 Act, (including failing to tether a horse appropriately and ensuring that it’s welfare needs are met) it could be used as evidence in support of those proceedings.</p><p> </p><p>The equine welfare sector promotes good welfare practice through their respective websites and via social media for example the National Equine Welfare Council’s compendium: <a href="http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/" target="_blank">http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/</a></p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 174088 174089 174091 question first answered 13/04/2021 14:35:43 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1305130

registered interest
date	23/03/2021
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Horses: Animal Welfare
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that tethered horses have access to clean water, adequate food and shelter from the prevailing winds, summer sun and flies.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	174091
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/04/2021 answer text <p>This country leads the way in animal welfare, including setting standards for horse welfare. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, all owners and keepers of horses must provide for the welfare needs of their animals. I consider that current legislation and guidance provides the right safeguards and powers in respect of horse tethering. However, we will continue to engage with key stakeholders to see if more can be done to spread best practice among horse owners as well as increased partnership working in order to tackle the issue of inappropriate horse tethering.</p><p> </p><p>Tethering can be a useful equine temporary management tool when it is used appropriately. The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids provides owners and keepers with general welfare information, including a specific section on the tethering of a horse. Whilst it is not an offence to breach the Code, if proceedings are brought against someone for a welfare offence under the 2006 Act, (including failing to tether a horse appropriately and ensuring that it’s welfare needs are met) it could be used as evidence in support of those proceedings.</p><p> </p><p>The equine welfare sector promotes good welfare practice through their respective websites and via social media for example the National Equine Welfare Council’s compendium: <a href="http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/" target="_blank">http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/</a></p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 174088 174089 174090 question first answered 13/04/2021 14:35:43 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1305131

registered interest
date	23/03/2021
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Horses: Animal Welfare
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that tethered horses are given freedom to exercise off the tether for a reasonable period at least once a day.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	174092
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2021 answer text <p>This country leads the way in animal welfare, including setting standards for horse welfare. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, all owners and keepers of horses must provide for the welfare needs of their animals.</p><p> </p><p>The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids provides owners and keepers with general welfare information. The Code states that tethered horses require daily exercise and that tethering is not a suitable method of long-term management of an animal but may be useful as an exceptional short-term method of animal management.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst it is not an offence to breach the Code, if proceedings are brought against someone for a welfare offence under the 2006 Act, (including failing to tether a horse appropriately and ensuring that it’s welfare needs are met) it could be used as evidence in support of those proceedings.</p><p> </p><p>The equine welfare sector promotes good welfare practice through their respective websites and via social media e.g. National Equine Welfare Council’s compendium: <a href="http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/" target="_blank">http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 31/03/2021 13:48:14 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1305132

registered interest
date	23/03/2021
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Horses: Animal Welfare
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department takes to ensure that tethered horses are inspected regularly by their owners.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	174093
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2021 answer text <p>This country leads the way in animal welfare, including setting standards for horse welfare. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, all owners and keepers of horses must provide for the welfare needs of their animals.</p><p> </p><p>The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids provides owners and keepers with general welfare information. The Code states that when horses are tethered, the need for regular supervision is paramount and that tethered horses should be inspected no less frequently than every six hours during waking normal hours.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst it is not an offence to breach the Code, if proceedings are brought against someone for a welfare offence under the 2006 Act (including failing to tether a horse appropriately and ensuring that it’s welfare needs are met), it could be used as evidence in support of those proceedings.</p><p> </p><p>The equine welfare sector promotes good welfare practice through their respective websites and via social media e.g. National Equine Welfare Council’s compendium: <a href="http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/" target="_blank">http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/</a></p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 31/03/2021 13:44:37 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1285634

registered interest
date	10/02/2021
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Animal Welfare: Officers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has plans to bring forward legislative proposals to require local authorities to employ an Animal Welfare Officer.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	152496
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/02/2021 answer text <p>Local authorities are responsible for enforcing certain animal related activities which are licensed, such as pet selling, dog breeding and selling, animal boarding, riding schools and the exhibiting of animals. Therefore, every local authority at district level will have access to officers who enforce animal welfare standards. Local authorities have powers, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, to investigate allegations of animal cruelty or poor welfare. Local authorities must be allowed to decide how to enforce the 2006 Act based upon local priorities and resources.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 26/02/2021 14:22:24 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1285636

registered interest
date	10/02/2021
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Animal Welfare
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will bring forward legislative proposals on preventing people from keeping an animal in the event that a tether is their only method of keeping that animal.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	152497
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/02/2021 answer text <p>Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to an animal or to fail to provide for its welfare including if such an offence is caused by the inappropriate way it is tethered. The maximum penalty for causing unnecessary suffering or failing to provide for an animal's welfare is six months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. However, the Government is committed to increasing the maximum custodial penalty for causing unnecessary suffering from six months to five years. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill, currently before Parliament, will implement this increase. The Government will support the Bill as it makes its way through Parliament. In addition, the statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids provides owners and keepers with general welfare information, including a specific section on how to tether their horse. Whilst it is not an offence to breach the Code, if proceedings are brought against someone for a welfare offence under the 2006 Act, (including failing to tether a horse appropriately) it could be used as evidence in support of those proceedings. DEFRA keeps all such legislation under review to ensure existing laws provide for situations where people cause their animals unnecessary suffering, including through inappropriate tethering.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 26/02/2021 16:21:01 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1285218

registered interest
date	09/02/2021
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Horses: Animal Welfare
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to stop horse tethering in dangerous locations.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	151677
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/02/2021 answer text <p>This country leads the way in animal welfare, including setting standards for horse welfare. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, all owners and keepers of horses must provide for the welfare needs of their animals. The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids provides owners and keepers with general welfare information, including a specific section on the correct choice of site to tether a horse. Whilst it is not an offence to breach the Code, if proceedings are brought against someone for a welfare offence under the 2006 Act, (including failing to tether a horse appropriately) it could be used as evidence in support of those proceedings. In addition, the equine welfare sector promotes good welfare practice through their respective websites and via social media e.g. National Equine Welfare Council’s compendium: <a href="http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/" target="_blank">http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/</a>.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 17/02/2021 15:02:39 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1243637

registered interest
date	15/10/2020
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Horses: Animal Welfare
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What steps his Department is taking to reduce the practice of horse tethering.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	907600
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2020 answer text <p>People who tether their horses inappropriately risk causing their animals distress and suffering and could be liable to prosecution for offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and their Hybrids provides keepers with information on how and when tethering may be used. We remain committed to tackling the issue of inappropriate horse tethering through effective partnership working, enforcement and dissemination of best practice.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 15/10/2020 17:04:34 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon