BHA clashes with Tim Farron over equine welfare ahead of Westminster debate
(The Guardian Sports News)

o Horse welfare to be debated in Westminster after e-petition o RSPCA praises BHA and is `happy to keep working with them´Racing´s ruling body has clashed with Tim Farron, the former Liberal Democrats leader, on the eve of a parliamentary debate about racehorse welfare. The debate, to take place in Westminster Hall on Monday afternoon, is the result of an e-petition which gathered more than 100,000 signatures, calling on the government to set up a new regulator for equine welfare, independent of the British Horseracing Authority.The creation of such a body is now Lib Dem policy, following the passing of a motion at the party´s conference last month - the aim being `to prevent abuse of racehorses and reduce avoidable deaths`. Farron, who is the party´s spokesman on rural affairs and farming, hopes to attend the debate. Continue reading...