Crabb's Bill To Relieve Equine Sector Is Scuppered

Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb visited Ingrid Evans at her Llanwnda Stables, Goodwick, after hearing of the increased insurance burden facing her business.

 

• Print Article
• Email Article
• Discuss

by ORR

March 21, 2008

Preseli MP Stephen Crabb’s attempt to bring relief to rural businesses struggling with soaring insurance premiums (news) was scuppered last Friday after a Labour MP blocked his bid to amend the Animals Act of 1971.

Stephen decided to address the problem after hearing of the increased insurance burden facing the Llanwnda stables in Pembrokeshire. Owner Mrs. Ingrid Evans has seen insurance premiums rise by over 800% in the last seven years, from £858 in 2001 to over £7000 today. (news)

In a move that has costly consequences for farmers and horse owners, Hendon MP Andrew Dismore, a former personal injury lawyer, spoke for two hours 19 minutes against Stephen Crabb’s Private Members' Bill, which was intended to clarify the law on the liability of animal owners in the event of an accident. At the end of his marathon speech Mr. Dismore forced a vote.

Despite having backing from the Government and Opposition parties, and winning the vote overwhelmingly, the Bill failed as there were 8 less than the necessary 40 MPs present in Parliament to cast their vote.

Stephen said: “My Bill would have brought welcome relief to hundreds of rural businesses and the millions of people who enjoy their services. It had been welcomed by all sides in the House of Commons and by a wide range of groups outside Parliament, from the National Farmers Union to the Ramblers Association.

“It is rare for such a diverse group of organisations to pull together, and I am very disappointed that it failed to receive sufficient support in the House to proceed.

“I will continue to press the Government to allocate the Bill more time to reach the statute books.

“It is vital that this important point of law is clarified as soon as possible to protect responsible owners of animals from unfair compensation claims.”