An update on our policy work in Scotland
From Helene Mauchlen, National Manager For Scotland
2024 has been an energetic year for BHS Scotland in terms of policy. Efforts have been made in several directions to improve the lives of Scotland’s equines with subjects including equine ID, the registration of livery yards, improvements to the equine Code of Practice and a review of the Scottish Equine Modern Apprenticeship. All the progress we are making has been dependent on partnerships and trusted alliances with other organisations like World Horse Welfare, horsescotland and the National Equine Welfare Council.
The most fundamental of our lobbying is the work we have put into calling for a digitised and enforceable Equine ID system, without which we will struggle to protect horses and ponies from crime and ill health. Working with others in the industry in 2024, we have held an exhibition on this matter at the Scottish Parliament where nearly 50% of MSPS supported our cause. This was followed by two meetings over the summer with Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity at the Royal Highland Show and Blair Castle International Horse Trials respectively, to push harder on this issue. An effective system including microchipping linked to an accurate central database is needed so we know where equines live - vital in the event of a disease outbreak. We have also been pushing for the registration of all premises where equines live – starting with livery yards and better use of ScotEquine where movements, places of residence and up to date pictures of horses and ponies can be kept and we can use QR technology to assist responsible owners in keeping everything current.
Following a consultation on the licensing/registration of livery yards in 2023, we are working proactively to try and support our stretched local authorities in registering lively yards and we hope to provide training in 2025.
We have responded to consultations on firework control zones, new developments in the countryside including wind farms and new pylon lines and we work on the Operational Partnership Group for road safety with Scottish Government. We sit on the National Access Forum and are looking forward to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code being 20 years old in 2025.
Working with the National Equine Welfare Council and partners, BHS Scotland is fully invested in a review of the Scottish Government Code of Practice for the welfare of Equidae with tight deadlines of a new draft code by next spring. Working hard with governments national and local and other stakeholders to improve the lives of horses and ponies, and other equids.