NEW legislation to tackle fly-grazing - where horses are grazed on private and public land without permission – is now in force.

The Control of Horses Act for England started life as a Private Members’ Bill championed by York Outer MP Julian Sturdy, following years of lobbying by the NFU, the CLA, other farming stakeholders and horse charities. It gained Royal Assent on March 26.

Thousands of farmers and landowners across the country are affected every year with many describing the impact on their business as "devastating".

NFU Deputy President Minette Batters said: "Fly-grazed horses threaten the livelihood of farmers, damage land, divert local authority resources and risk the safety of motorists when they escape on to roads. This new legislation will enable farmers and landowners to remove unwanted horses quickly and effectively while action will be less expensive to take.

"The NFU would like to publicly thank York Outer MP Julian Sturdy for his tenacity and interest in this issue and for helping to raise the problems of fly-grazing on a national scale."

Mr Sturdy said councils now have the tools to rescue horses that are being illegally fly-grazed.

He said: "I was fortunate enough to have received the full support of a wide range of animal welfare and countryside organisations, who were united in their goal to see these changes brought into force. There is now no excuse for allowing horses and ponies to be abandoned to a lifetime of neglect and I hope to see many more animals rehomed in the near future."

David Shaw, York farmer and NFU North East Regional Board member, was one of the farmers at the forefront of efforts to get the problem taken seriously.

He said. "Personally it has felt at times like a never ending battle to protect the crops I grow to feed my cows."

He thanked Mr Sturdy for all his efforts. "He has been an invaluable ally in the campaign not just by farmers but by horse charities and other stakeholders to improve the welfare of these horses and tackle what had become a terrible blight on the countryside."

The NFU has produced a ‘Fly-grazing Farmer Information Pack’ with guidance on action that can be taken and signs for on-farm use. Some financial assistance will be available to members subscribing to the NFU’s Legal Assistance Scheme to help with bailiffs. Contact NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458.