Tracey Crouch, MP for Chatham and Aylesford and former Minister for Sport and Civil Society, has been appointed as an independent member of British racing’s Horse Welfare Board.
This follows the announcement in March that former President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and past Chairman of World Horse Welfare, Barry Johnson, has been appointed as the independent chair of the Board.
The Welfare Board’s remit is to develop a new welfare strategy covering the whole racing industry. The strategy will look across the whole lifetime of racehorses, before, during and after they leave the sport.
The Welfare Board will also look at how the sport’s welfare standards are communicated and how they are perceived by the sport, the public and other audiences.
Tracey Crouch MP said:
“I am thrilled to be joining the board at an important time for the sport and look forward to being able to combine both my passion in animal welfare with my interest in horseracing.”
Barry Johnson, Chair of the Horse Welfare Board, said:
“I am delighted Tracey Crouch has been appointed to the Welfare Board. Her knowledge of animal welfare issues and integrity will be of enormous value to the sport.”
The first meeting of the Horse Welfare Board will take place in the coming few weeks. The Horsemen’s Group and the Racecourse Association will both be represented on the Board, alongside the British Horseracing Authority (BHA)’s Director of Equine Health and Welfare, Dr David Sykes.
The Board is aiming to set out its thinking for the future of horse welfare in racing later this year and to make initial recommendations by the end of 2019.
Notes to editors:
1. The full Welfare Board membership is as follows:
Barry Johnson, Chair
Tracey Crouch MP
Caroline Davies, Raceday Services Director, Racecourse Association (RCA)
Simon Knapp, Veterinary Advisor, RCA
Charlie Liverton, Chief Executive, Racehorse Owners Association (ROA)
James Given, Trainer & Veterinarian
David Sykes, Director of Equine Health & Welfare, BHA
Alison Enticknap, Programme Director, BHA
2. Details of Barry Johnson’s appointment as Chair of the Horse Welfare board can be found here.
3. More information about Tracey Crouch can be found on her website.
