Skip to main content
Banner image for Ross Thomson

Ross Thomson

Former Conservative MP for Aberdeen South
Site logo

Main navigation

  • Home
  • About Ross Thomson
  • News
  • Parliament
  • My Responses to Topical Emails
  • Ross' Campaigns

Opinion- Race Horse Welfare

  • Tweet
Monday, 8 April, 2019
Blue Tie

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is the independent body responsible for regulating the sport of horseracing. It works closely with animal charities such as the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare to ensure that the highest of standards are upheld. As a consequence, Britain is regarded as having one of the best regulated racing environments across the world.

It is always upsetting to hear about the death of a horse during a race, but I have been assured that the BHA has a number of policies to ensure that racing is as safe as possible for horses. These include not licencing any racecourse in the UK which is not welfare approved, ensuring all races have veterinary surgeons on hand to administer treatment and investigating any course showing an increase in fatalities. I am encouraged that in the last 20 years horse fatalities during races have fallen by a third, to 0.2 per cent of runners.

I understand the concerns about life after racing for these horses. The Retraining of Racehorses is the official charity dealing with the welfare of retired racehorses. It raises funds through regulatory and licence fees from racing, as well as from donations. It runs a nationwide programme find new homes and roles for these horses, including in other recreational activities

  • Opinions

You may also be interested in

dogs trust

Animal Welfare

Ban Electric Shock Collars

Ross took a Scottish Conservative campaign against “barbaric” electric shock dog collars to Westminster.

Parliament

My Responses to Topical Emails

During my time as an MP, I received a large number of identical emails which were often sent from campaign organisations.

loan charge

Ross Hands Loan Charge Petition to Prime Minister and Chancellor

Tuesday, 10 September, 2019

Ross handed in the Loan Charge petition to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and the Chancellor, Sajid Javid. The petition gathered 8,294 signatures calling for a review of the 2019 Loan Charge and for it to be suspended. 

Show only

  • Articles
  • Local News
  • Media
  • Opinions
  • Speeches in Parliament
  • Westminster News
  • Written Questions News

Ross Thomson Former MP for Aberdeen South

Footer

  • About RSS
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Privacy
  • About Ross Thomson
  • In Parliament
Site logoPromoted by Simon Turner on behalf of Ross Thomson, both of 2 West Mount Street, Aberdeen, AB25 2RJ
Copyright 2021 Ross Thomson Former MP for Aberdeen South. All rights reserved.
Powered by Bluetree