EIA negligence claim - any lawyers/solicitors around

Bosworth

Bosworth

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 February 2006
Messages
5,268
Location
devon
www.ballhillequestrian.co.uk
having just read Nailed's post about the fact that we won't be covered for a horse being PTS because of EIA i suggest we as horse owners start making rumblings about negligence claims against the Govt. Basically a test exists to stop it coming into the country - Coggins. It is simple enough to make it compulsory (after all regulations were brought in overnight re movements of livestock under foot and mouth) And will only affect horses coming into the UK which to be honest is small fry compared with the existing horse population. So if there is a simple solution to prevent something devestating happening and the person responsible fails to take adequate precautions to prevent the devestation happening then they are deemed negligent.

Any legal bods around able to advise on the idea of a mass negligence claim before EIA spreads further?
 
You think DEFRA hasn't got it's arse covered every which way?

First get yourself a top flight law company (paid for by your peasants), draw up your own legislation - oh and then make up a load of stupid rules for the peasants to try and follow and if there are any mishaps with your in-house livestock management plan, well, the suits will sort it for you...
 
I'm a lawyer but don't know much about class/group actions. Although I very much doubt that much could be done in that respect before an outbreak.

If you want preventative action I would suggest that energies would be best served by lobbying the government now and getting all interest groups to lobby the government.

Why not draft a letter and post it here so people can copy and paste it into a letter to their MP.

You could also start a petition on the number 10 website for people to sign.

People can then put the letter and a link to the petition on facebook and other forums to increase awareness.

I'd get the BHS, WHW etc on side too as they are experienced in lobbying the government.
 
Wouldn't this be more easily solved by asking DEFRA/ the government to reconsider a minimum value of horses in transit. I understand one was set for exported horses and this could be easily extended and elevated so that a minimum value of £2000 is set for import or exporting horses - this figure should put a stop to the import of 'meat' horses without impacting on racing or competition horses
 
Why does it need a value - all horses travelling should have a Coggins test - I would not take my dog into or out of mainland europe without a Rabies test and shot - the Coggins test should be policed as the same. if you are importing a competition horse you will be happy to pay the small amount for a Coggins test it is the low end who won't be so I don;t really think any value criteria is necessary
 
My rationale is that it is easier to amend a current set of regulations that try to introduce a completely new set - amendment can be achieved overnight and would have the same effect - bin end trade would be prohibited and horses of value would be adequately tested in any case
 
Lobbying strongly is our best bet, I think - and don't limit it to Defra Ministers. Write to your LOCAL MP (he owes you!) and ask HIM to ask questions. And also contact the Shadow Minister (Nick Herbert) because let's face it, this shower of a Government hopefully won't be with us much longer!!

Nick is a country person (he's also MP for Arundel and South Downs if anyone is a constituent). I've already e-mailed him as I know him from a former life - but it would be great if a few more people could let him know JUST how concerned horse owners are - and how ANGRY we are with DEFRA for being such useless twats! His e-mail is - nick@nickherbert.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top