Horses and the CAP A briefing by the European Horse Network November 2011

Horses in Europe

“The sector has a powerful tale to tell to EU policy makers during the current economic downturn, not just in terms of business and The horse in Europe employment growth, but also for the current debate on the The horse sector is a traditional farming have growth in many countries Common Agricultural Policy.” Julie Girling MEP dynamic agricultural and fallen around 60% from and regions throughout the rural force in Europe. their peak income level in EU. The horse sector has “This conference, for me 1995, the horse sector as a many positives in terms of personally, is a signal we There are over 6 million whole is growing, with the have to pay more attention to agricultural and rural horses in Europe grazing horses” number of horse riders development: Janusz Wojciechowski, Vice over 6 million hectares of increasing by around +5% a Chair European Parliament permanent grassland. year. *Ecologically friendly with a Agriculture Committee focus on permanent pasture Around 400 000 jobs are EHN Regional Conference Market dynamics in November 2010 provided by the sector. agriculture and leisure are *minimal or no use of expected to amplify this pesticides or It provides 100 billion euros further in future years, a year economic impact with making the equestrian, *offering labour-intensive, a growing international horse racing and betting all round rural employment market sector an important *established and growing While total revenues from contributor for regional national and international export markets Horses within the context of the CAP

Within the context of CAP less polluting methods of subject to EU market discussions, the horse sector farm maintenance. organisation or arable is in an ideal situation to farming, as horse breeding positively contribute to the As well as being a growing for example, requires many common theme throughout sector, equine enterprises of the facilities and lends – which is the need to also provide an added itself to much of the promote sustainable growth benefit as they can help experience which is used to for agriculture and rural support other farming farm other livestock. areas in an ecologically sectors, by their need to buy balanced way. grain, hay, straw, and other A further plus is that items provided by other diversification is often a The use of horses as farms and rural businesses. viable possibility in the more working animals on farms difficult upland and remote and in forestry is growing, In addition, horses provide farming areas – through the and is in perfect harmony excellent opportunities for natural synergies between with the growth of organic further farm diversification, horses and tourism for farming and the search for out of other livestock example.

Horses in the current CAP proposals

The Commission’s proposals population. because of the millions of emphasise the importance of hectares which they graze, permanent grassland and Horses are an agricultural but obviously also because the need to look at product, as is clearly shown the horse breeding and agriculture as a holistic part by their inclusion in livestock production also often takes of the overall success and policies and, for example, by place as a valued part of a development of rural areas. the consistent application of more varied farm enterprise. We fully support this focus. European food safety and welfare regulations. As farming becomes ever Horses graze a significant more diversified and Their historic and close percentage of Europe’s environmental land permanent grassland, and connection to the land and management becomes ever therefore contribute to the how it is farmed means they more important, it also upkeep of many areas, as need to be considered along becomes more important to “ breeding and rearing of well as providing significant with other livestock such as fully integrate horses into equidae, and in particular of cows and sheep, not least horses, is generally included sources of income for local any new proposals. in the farming sector. It constitutes a source of income for part of the farming population” Some initial comments on the proposals

EU Council Definition of active of the horse and applying and jobs as a whole rather Directive 2009/156/EC. farmer - The proposed different historical models of than the focus on artificial

definition of agricultural the Single Farm Payment. market support mechanisms activity makes it clear that on individual crops or the breeding of livestock as The movements towards animals. well as the grazing of the SFP as an integral animals, makes farmland ‘land management We also support the focus eligible for direct payments. system’ seems inherently the need to ensure that sensible and we support high animal welfare However, we would urge this. standards are adopted – that this definition is made including seeking the clear at EU level to remove The further emphasis on highest meat hygiene the unfair and unlevel rural development standards for those horses playing field which currently measures and that are slaughtered for exists due to member states’ diversification is also human consumption. interpretations of the status welcome in terms of the growth of the rural economy

The international strength of EU breeders

Supporting farmers who goal. European studbooks, already firmly established supply an international whether in horse racing, and have a large percentage market for agricultural sports horses, or pony of international, non-EU products is an important breeding, lead the world, buyers. consideration for the EU’s and are responsible for long term agricultural policy. millions a year in export The value of this framework revenue. in sustaining both farm and Fortunately European horse rural employment and breeders are in a pole In addition, the facilities for supporting farm incomes is position to contribute to this auctioning and selling are evident.

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True ‘horse power’ in agriculture

There is the increasing re- million metres cubed of logs research has shown that use of the horse on farms as a year. young vines growing in a a draught animal as the vineyard worked only with horse is a perfect renewable Research has shown that horses start to fruit (one to) and ecologically friendly draught horses can be an two years earlier than those energy source. economically sound growing in soils compacted alternative to machines. by tractors. (SCHARNHÖLZ 2009) Draft horses are increasingly being used in the forestry Organic farms particularly In this way, again, we see logging business throughout welcome the re-emergence horses as central to the Europe. of horse power as the use of debate about how to horses do not pollute the maintain productivity and Unlike large logging produce, and do not farm incomes while also machines, they are able to compact the soil in the same ‘greening’ the CAP and preserve fragile ecosystems way as tractors and other encouraging biodiversity and and cause minimal damage. machines. more environmentally sound “”Young vines fruit earlier if land management. Logging horses in Sweden, This is not just seen in worked by horses – an for example, are used to mainstream or organic We would like to see transport more than 1 farming. In vineyards, initiatives like these example of productivity and supported more in future ecology in harmony” reforms.

The horse – present in every EU country

The horse is also of and the World Equestrian In a number of regions in Europe importance as it grazes land Games are to be held in native ponies are being used to and contributes to farm Normandy in 2014. graze important areas of scientific incomes in every country of interest as they selectively graze the EU. The KINCSEM" Horse Cluster while protecting endangered - based in Kecskemét in flowers and plants. The Gait In some countries horses middle of Hungary - the Barrows Exmoor pony herd in are vitally important for town itself is called the Lancashire, UK are employed to regional economic clusters. horse capital of Hungary and support and help regenerate the For example in the area of the horse cluster initiative park which includes the high Basse-Normandie in France concentrates on the brown fritillary butterfly, Britain's you will find 10% of the education of all kind of rarest. Exmoor ponies in other whole French horse horse races and activities. It parts of the country are similarly population, and 20% of the provides major jobs in the employed on behalf of fritillary foals, the sector there region and regularly butterflies and other rare species provides more than 10 000 organises national and of flowers, plants and jobs The thoroughbred international horse events, invertebrates. In addition, yearling sales alone in and also exists to promote initiatives like these help protect Deauville in august 2010 horse clusters at a European the pony which is itself a rare generated 26 million euros, level and international species. cooperation.

The role of equines in conservation

areas where other livestock For example, the Gait Barrows European Horse Network In a number of regions in the President EU native ponies are such as sheep or cows could Exmoor pony herd in the UK Stefan Johanson CEO important in areas of scientific not thrive or would destroy are employed to support and HNS, Swedish Horse interest, in agri-environment the habitat. help regenerate an area which Council Federation schemes for conservation includes the ‘high brown In addition to providing Phone grazing and as part of a mixed fritillary’ , Britain’s rarest +46 (0)8-627 21 85 grazing regime valuable farm income in less butterfly. Initiatives like these favoured areas they often play also help to protect native E-mail These ponies are able to graze a valuable conservation role info@europeanhorsenetwork. ponies, many of whom are eu in wet delta or exposed upland as they are selective grazers. also endangered species.

Website www.europeanhorsenetwork. eu The EHN and its Members

The EHN is a non-profit EPMA - European Pari Federation , UET - network composed of many Mutuel Association, Pole European Trotting Union,

equine organisations Filiere Equine (Normandie) World Horse Welfare, operating in Europe. representing the Network FECTU – European of European Equestrian Draught Horse Federation. EFTBA - European Regions, FEIF – Icelandic ESSA – European State Federation of Horses, WBFSH – World Studs Association. CBC- Thoroughbred Breeders federation of Sport horses BCP – Belgian Horse Associations, FEI - Breeders, Swedish Horse Confederation International Equestrian Council Foundation, EMHF Federation, European – European and Equestrian Federation, Mediterranean Horseracing

The beautiful Icelandic

horse is just one example of the very many native European breeds of horse and pony which play a significant role in the maintenance of upland and ‘less favoured areas’ in many parts of Europe, as well a providing valuable farm income.