October 9 , 2006: Robert Sturdy MEP calls for India's Ban on UK horse exports to be re-examined
Euro-MP Robert Sturdy has called for India’s ban on horse exports from the UK to be re-examined as it has severely damaged the thoroughbred breeders’ export market.
The ban has been in place for the last five years following the outbreak of a single known case of a disease called Contagious Equine Metritis.
However, very few cases have occurred in the UK over the last 10 years, and most of those reported were in non-thoroughbred horses imported into the country. India is demanding a three-year clear period of reported cases of CEM from countries before re-commencing trade.
Mr Sturdy, the Conservative International Trade spokesman, has arranged for this issue to be raised next week at an animal health committee of the World Trade Organisation http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/sps_e/meet_oct06_e.htm. He wants India to substantiate its reasons for the ban and is hopeful it will result in it being lifted.
The ban has had a considerable impact on the thoroughbred breeders’ export market. It is estimated that the loss to the British industry last year was £1 million in sales alone, as well as a knock on effect to others involved in the trade, and up to £10 million over the whole ban period.
Mr Sturdy believes the Indian ban is over-stringent as it is unlikely that any country in the EU could claim to be completely disease free due to free movement of horses within the EU. He also says Britain has more than satisfied veterinary and international regulations for horse imports.
Robert said: “I am absolutely delighted that I was able to get this important issue raised on the WTO agenda. I worked with DEFRA to achieve this and it shows that MEPs can make a difference on these national issues. This will put pressure on India to respond to reasons for the ban and will hopefully result in its cessation.
“This industry is vital for our country, particularly my constituency which includes Newmarket, one of the UK’s leading centres for the sale of thoroughbreds. It is also a step in the right direction towards promoting fair trade between India and the EU.”
The matter was first brought to Robert’s attention by the Newmarket based Thoroughbred Breeders’s Association. Chief Executive Louise Kemble said they had previously been unsuccessful in getting DEFRA to resolve this issue.
She said: “We are very grateful to Robert Sturdy for taking these steps to raise the matter before the WTO. There is no justification why Great Britain has been singled out in this way, and these regulations have severely damaged a valuable export market for thoroughbred breeding stock sold from Great Britain. Lost revenue is currently running at a cost of some £10 million and it is vital that we open up our trading links with India. We are already seeing our close competitors capitalizing from this situation and it is time the Commission acted in support of this valuable export market.”
