By Isle of Wight ObserverMPs will debate the welfare of racehorses after a petition was helped by Isle of Wight residents.
The Island was the second biggest constituency to respond to the petition asking government to set up an independent regulatory body “which will take meaningful action to stop horses dying”.
The debate will start at 4.30pm on Monday (October 15) and will be opened by MP Mike Hill, a member of the Petitions Committee.
The petition, which has more than 105,000 signatures, states that “around 200 horses die each year due to racing in Britain”.
In response to the petition, the government says that it “does not consider that it is necessary to create a new body to protect racehorse welfare,” and outlines that “the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is responsible for the safety of jockeys and horses at races in this country”.
Monday’s debate will provide an opportunity for MPs to question a government minister directly on this topic.
The petition has over 105,000 signatures and can be viewed here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/211950
