Coordinated approach to tackle fly grazing in Wales
The deputy minister for agriculture, food, fisheries and European programmes says a coordinated, robust approach is needed to tackle fly grazing in Wales.
Alun Davies described recent action taken to tackle the problem of fly grazing, in a written statement earlier this month (December), and outlined some plans for future approaches.
"My view is that we need a national policy and a single, consistent approach so that the problem is not simply displaced to other parts of the country," he said.
Fly grazing is the term for leaving grazing animals on private land without permission. It is a way of giving someone else responsibility without permission, because landowners have a duty of care towards any animal on their property.
In his statement, Mr Davies said he was pleased with the way the police have taken foreword a number of initiatives to address the problem, and that the Welsh Government would work with them to organise a fly grazing seminar in early 2013.
Mr Davies also added that he was disappointed with the Defra's decision to stop funding the National Equine Database, which he says reduces the ability of enforcement authorities to check and trace horse owners. He added that he has written to Defra's secretary of state regarding this matter.
"Within the UK, Wales is leading the way on finding a solution to the problem of fly grazing and my officials are sharing the work they are doing with this matter with Defra," he said. "There is still much work to be done and, with winter beginning, there is fear that the incidence of fly grazing will increase.
"All agencies involved must be ready to react positively to protect the welfare of horses and ponies, to safeguard the property of landowners and safety of the general public."
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
