TO ALL HORSE LOVERS,
As of the end of December last
year the Government planned to introduce
a new law to force all horse owners to purchase
passports for their horses.
Every horse, donkey
or pony must have these passports, even if they are
never to be shipped abroad. The Government's
thinking
is that they do not want horses that have been given certain
veterinary medicines to enter the food chains. Now
the UK is not in the top 10 providers of horse meat as
a human
food. And i for one would never let my wonderful
4 legged friends and companions end their days
in this way.
The fear is that by introducing these passports the places
hardest hit will be the small rescue centers and sanctuaries,
where they will need to purchase a passport for
every horse, pony or donkey there. They will have to
spend fundraised money on a passport that will never be
used rather than put that money towards, rugs, feed or
medical treatment.
It
is also feared that these passports will stop many animals
getting the treatment they require. If an owner has
not purchased a passport they may not feel they can call
out the vet as then the lack of passport will come to
light and there is a £5000 fine for not having one, or
1 months imprisonment.
The link to the site is underneath this email, if you would like to
have a look. And please, if you do not agree with the passports then
sign our petition and maybe post a topic or comment on our forum pages.
Please can you pass this on to anyone you feel this may interest, the
more people that know the better, and the best way for people to find it
is through word of mouth. We would also be extremely grateful if you
could post a link on your website. We would, of course, reciprocate
this.
As stated on our website, even
if this petition does not, in the end, make a difference, at least we
will have registered our disagreement with the latest government
legislation
We are also concerned by the number of people who have not heard of
this new law. When i spoke to the lady on the passport helpline number
she told me that "ignorance would not be deemed an acceptable
excuse" , basically, saying you did not know will not stop you
being prosecuted.
So please, if you know of anyone with horses, ponies, donkeys,
shetlands... please do spread the word. If you do feel strongly about
this issue then please also ask your friends and family to sign our
petition. The petition will be presented to 10 Downing Street on a
date that is yet to be decided.
Many thanks for your time in reading this. If you would like any
further information or have any questions please do not hesitate to
ask.
Many thanks again,
Sarah Howlett
www.no-horse-passports.co.uk
Please feel free to email me at:
sarah@no-horse-passports.co.uk
