British racing festivals ‘face ruin from a hard Brexit’

British racing festivals face ruin from a hard Brexit, it was claimed last night – because no provision has been made for the free movement of horses after we leave the EU.

The warning – from Brussels politicians and horse breeders ahead of this week’s prestigious Cheltenham Festival – comes amid increasingly acrimonious wrangling over racing’s future after Brexit.

Theresa May’s vow to leave the customs union has thrown into confusion an agreement between Britain, Ireland and France that allows horses registered in any of those countries to move freely between them with only a vet’s certificate. The three countries account for 90 per cent of all horse movements in the EU, but Environment Secretary Michael Gove is involved in a stand-off with Brussels over plans to axe the arrangement if we leave the customs union.

Top meetings such as Cheltenham (pictured) could be affected by Brexit wrangling

Mr Gove argues that the deal, struck in the 1960s, should be honoured after Brexit. But Brussels insists that as equine free movement was incorporated into EU law, the arrangement falls if the UK quits the customs union.

Experts warn the effect could be chaos, with the horses unable to move without health checks and even export licences.

Now racing authorities are lobbying the EU to treat it as an animal welfare issue rather than a trade matter so that it is exempt it from the negotiation process.

Mairead McGuinness, the Irish vice-president of the European Parliament

Mairead McGuinness, the Irish vice-president of the European Parliament

Mairead McGuinness, the Irish vice-president of the European Parliament, said last night: ‘Horse racing depends on the best horses moving freely across Ireland, the UK and France. A hard Brexit would put the industry at risk.

‘It would be a disaster if the best horses couldn’t even make it to the first hurdle.’

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, added: ‘Brexit could have a devastating impact on the Irish thoroughbred racing and breeding industry.’ The industry is big business on both sides of the Irish Sea, providing jobs for more than 32,000 people and worth a combined £5 billion a year to the British and Irish economies. Every year, 10,000 horses move freely between the two countries.

Last night, Government sources said they were committed to maintaining the arrangements.

A source said: ‘This scheme works in everyone’s interest… and we detect no appetite to rip it up.’



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