Licensing of livery yards

The licensing of livery yards is part of a raft of secondary legislation under the Animal Welfare Bill which has just finished its Committee stage in the House of Commons. At present livery yard proposals are on the backburner at DEFRA as work on greyhounds and circus animals takes priority. Studs would also be considered under the definition of a livery yard and would be subject to licensing (although racehorse trainers are exempt as they already are subject to Jockey Club inspections). Details will be worked out in the DEFRA working group led by BEVA as to who would do the licensing or registration, what this would involve and how often licensing/registration would take place. The alternative for the industry would be to have its own registration or licensing scheme.