Online Petition against Horse Tax in Germany

[Pendragon]

Friends in European countries and worldwide. Please take a moment and sign this petition against horse tax in Germany. If we do not fully succeed in avoiding this tax then your country might be next! This is why it is so important to get your support now as well!
The petition is set up by the German Horse Federation (FN).


https://www.openpetition.de/petitio...desteuer-denn-wir-sagen-ja-zu-unseren-pferden

 

[Alec Swan]

I wont be signing it. In Germany you already have State supplied and funded facilities which are the envy of the rest of the equine world, complete with a substantial support system which others don't have.

Would it be so wrong for the relatively small proportion of your population who enjoy such help and encouragement, to help themselves with funding? Even our NED has been withdrawn. I'd say that German Equine owners have had a pretty good deal to date, and that self help isn't such a bad thing.

Alec.

 

[Pendragon]

Alec, I am a bit astonished to read your statement and the misinformation it is giving.
Yes, in Germany we have state studs; yes, in Germany professional riding sport is supported.

BUT: In Germany we have about 1 mio. horses, most of them kept as leisure horses, approx. 70% of the riders are younger than 21 years old. There are a lot of horse owners with an average income even keeping their old, non ridable horses. There are many horse owners that support social children work with horses without asking for payment.

What happens, if they have to pay an annual tax per horse in the amount of 750 Euros or more? And: Do you not have such horse owners in your country?

In Germany riding is seen as a health sport for normal people. Many horses are family members. Furthermore, a lot of farmers make an income on service supplies for horses, and this, again, means they do not have to get agrar support from the EU. With horses kept it is guaranteed to have a certain amount of grass fields being a benefit for nature and climate.

What shall happen to all the jobs that are directly or indirectly linked to all these horses (and their numbers will be reduced drastically with many horses having to go to slaughter as many owners will not be able to afford the tax) such as vets, farriers, food suppliers, tack shop industry, etc.?

You might be greedy about the system that is set up in Germany, but looking at the situation much closer and in detail will surely give you a better view on reality.

P.S.: There are first rumours coming from Scandinavian countries thinking about introducing a horse tax as well. Same rumours from France...