Sharp decline in thoroughbred registrations
Welfare charities and the horse racing industry have welcomed news that the number of thoroughbred horses being bred in Britain is in sharp decline.
The figures released from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) show that in the last five years, the number of thoroughbreds being registered for racing has dropped by a third.
The sharp decline is reported to be a response of the recession and overproduction – an encouraging result, according to World Horse Welfare.
"Overbreeding is probably the largest welfare problem in Britain right now, and it's good to see that racing is acting responsibly," said Roly Owers, chief executive of the charity.
"We wish we could say the same for all horse breeders."
The number of thoroughbred foals being registered annually has decreased from 5,920 in 2008 to 4,366 in 2012.
A BHA spokesperson commented: "Overproduction of foals is an issue affecting the entire equine sector in Britain. Starting in 2008 there was a conscious effort in British racing to address the issue and to raise awareness of the problem.
"There has been an impact from the recession and market forces that have played their part, but communicating with owners and breeders about the issue was much easier than in other disciplines."
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
