To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to reclassify the horse as an agricultural animal; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 12 April 1988]: The classification of all horses as agricultural animals would involve amending a number of different legislative provisions concerned not only with agriculture but with such matters as planning and rating. I believe that horses do have a valuable contribution to make as the agricultural industry adjusts, but it is likely that much of this potential could be achieved without any comprehensive amendment of existing legislation.