DEFRA

Spot checks reveal missing passports

Random passport checks carried out by Trading Standards officials have revealed that some horse owners are breaking the law by not owning the mandatory horse passports

Fell ponies under threat

A new report has shown that Britain’s ancient breed of Fell ponies is under threat. However, an unlikely saviour has been suggested: the tourist

Minimal reshuffle at DEFRA post-election

Margaret Beckett remains at the helm of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, where Jim Knight become Minister of the Horse

Defra to impose muck heap fees

Muck heaps are set to attract new rules and fees of up to £500 per year under new government legislation, which has caught the industry unawares

Government horse info online

Horse owners and riders can get information from the government about horse-related issues quickly and easily via a new section on the Defra website

New research on horse industry

The government has commissioned a "ground-breaking" horse industry study, which aims to identify the industry's long-term strategy and determine how the government can offer its support