Wales further tackles fly grazing
An additional £150,000 has been granted by Welsh Government minsters in what is described as "robust" approach to help tackle fly grazing in the country.
Incidents of fly grazing, whereby horses and ponies are abandoned on both public and private land, have become a major issue in south Wales – most notably Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend.
Local authorities in the areas are already working to resolve the issue together with police and charitable organisations. Carl Sergeant, Welsh minister for local government and communities, has encouraged putting the additional funding towards consistent and effective arrangements.
“There is a clear commitment and a willingness from all agencies involved to work together in a robust manner to deal with this problem,” he said. "The additional funding demonstrates the commitment of the Welsh Government to resolve the problem and encourage local authorities to put consistent and effective arrangements in place based on sound legal practice.
"Addressing the issue of fly grazing will reduce the demand on local authorities, the Fire and Rescue Service and other agencies responding to loose or trapped horses."
The funding is also hoped to go towards meeting the significant legal costs of fly grazing prosecutions and will serve as a deterrent to illegal horse trading, according to the Welsh deputy minister for agriculture, Alun Davies.
“The behaviour of those horse owners who seek to avoid their responsibilities through the practice of abandonment or fly grazing will not be tolerated anywhere in Wales," he said. “The Welsh Government, working in close and effective partnership with the police, local authorities and welfare charities, is determined to deal with the problem, swiftly and robustly."
Mr Davies added: "I would strongly advise landowners who find themselves victims of fly grazing to come forward and report incidents and any associated anti-social behaviour."
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.
