Powys steps up equine sales checks

 

The council’s Trading Standards Service will be joined by Dyfed Powys Police, the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare when carrying out future checks at horse sales in the county.

 

The visits are to be conducted in response to a spate of complaints received by the council and the Welsh Government alleging that the welfare of some horses being traded at sales was suspect and that some horses were being traded without the required identification documentation.

 

Checks have been carried out at the recent Cob Sale, operated by Brightwells Auctioneers at the Royal Welsh Showground and at Horse and Pony Sale, operated by McCartneys Auctioneers, at Brecon Livestock Market last month. At these sales no major welfare or identification issues were discovered.

 

Cllr Geraint Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Environment and Regulation, said: “These checks demonstrate how we are working together to ensure that the welfare needs of horses traded within Powys are maintained along with the professional reputation of the auctioneers concerned.

 

“We will target those unscrupulous traders who attempt to trade horses without the required identification documentation or that are unfit for welfare reasons. We will be carrying out more checks in the future.”

 

Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Christianne Glossop said: “We welcome this initiative and commend all the agencies for undertaking enforcement checks at horse sales to ensure identification and welfare requirements are being fully met.”

 

RSPCA Inspector Christine McNeil, said: “The RSPCA is committed to improving the welfare of horses at sales and is pleased to be working closely with other organisations in Wales to achieve this.”