The British Horse Industry Confederation (BHIC) has reported that it opposes a £10.50 levy on horse owners proposed by the U.K.’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

BHIC Chair Professor Tim Morris (Equine Science and Welfare Director at the British Horseracing Authority), Mark Weston (British Horse Society Director of Access, Safety and Welfare), and Jan Rogers (British Equestrian Federation–BEF–Head of Equine Development) worked together to produce a response from the horse industry. “The result was a definite ‘no’ to Defra’s proposal to impose a new structure to animal health control which would mean a £10.50 (the equivalent of about $17.11 USD) levy per horse on all horse owners,” the BHIC reported.

Professor Morris said on behalf of horse owners: “The proposals for responsibility and cost-sharing are based on inaccurate data and flawed assumptions, and represent an increase in costs for the equine sector where a significant proportion already fund their leisure activities out of taxed income.

“I have seen no information on objective measurement of efficiency and accountability, and I can see no clear benefits for the equine sector,” he continued. “I believe these proposals are unworkable and of no benefit and must not proceed in their present form