Mark Pack

I may think I know the answer to this question. You may think you know the answer to this question. But in the world of legislation and regulation, it’s not quite so simple as Hansard from February 1982 shows us:

Sir Anthony Kershaw asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to classify the horse as an agricultural animal.

Mr. Greenway asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to reclassify the horse as an agricultural animal; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Fenner I see no reason to do so.

Tony Blair’s election victory in 1997 changed many things, but the official line on horse classifiation was not one of them as this exchange from November 1997 shows:

Lord Rowallan asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Whether they will consider redesignating the horse as an agricultural animal.

The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Donoughue) We have no current plans to redesignate all horses as agricultural animals.

Liked this story? Find other gems from Hansard on my archive page for this series of posts.