Landowners in the South West have welcomed news that they now have greater powers to deal with the growing problem of horses abandoned or left illegally on their land – thanks to a new law which has been passed this week.

The CLA, which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses, has been at the forefront of the campaign to bring about a change in the law to deal with what is known as fly grazing since the issue was raised with CLA President, Henry Robinson, at last year’s Royal Cornwall Show.

The CLA President subsequently met with Defra’s Lord de Mauley on the issue and gave oral evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee inquiry into the causes and impacts of fly-grazing on landowners, animal welfare charities, local authorities and the horses themselves.

The CLA is one of a group of six organisations, including animal welfare charities, which published a landmark report on unlawful fly grazing in England last September and has continued to support the resulting Private Member’s Bill, The Control of Horses Bill, as it made its way through Parliament.

Bodmin farmer and landowner, Rupert Hanbury-Tenison, applauded the CLA’s efforts in helping the Act through Parliament in such a short time.

“This is a fantastic outcome for upland farmers throughout the South West. It will make a huge contribution to the fight against a growing problem which was causing misery for horses and serious problems for landowners and the general public,” he said.

CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, said that the horsemeat scandal and consequent downturn in demand, over-breeding and the rising costs of keeping horses have all contributed to an increase in fly grazing.

“Until now landowners have been powerless to remove horses from their land quickly and effectively so we are delighted that farmers and landowners will at last be able to deal with fly-grazed horses in a timely, humane and cost-effective manner without damage to land or risk of liability for horses left illegally on their land.”

In its original form, the Bill would have put farmers and landowners at a disadvantage by not allowing them the same controls as local authorities.

“The Government has now responded to our concerns by extending powers in the Bill to private landowners. This is a major achievement for everybody concerned in bringing this issue before Parliament and in ensuring that Julian Sturdy MP has managed to see his Private Member’s Bill become Law,” said Mr Mortimer.