Sir - I have been following the various articles/letters in your recent publications in relation to funding of the northern racecourses.

Regrettably the situation that the two courses find themselves in, in relation to the implementation of recommendations financed by DARD but not implemented, are the same for the whole equine sector.

In 2007 a strategy document was published for the equine sector, again financed by DARD, and after a period of eight years we are still in the same position as when the report was first published! The Equine Council for Northern Ireland at various meetings with DARD officials recently, have asked what DARD’s policy for equines is? The answer is that there is no policy. We have now put forward to them, with the support of certain sections of their department, what we believe would be the basis of a realistic policy for the whole industry. We await their response. We believe that until DARD has a policy and staff that understand the value and complexity of the equine sector, they will continue to pay us lip service and the northern industry will continue to be at a disadvantage in comparison to our southern neighbours.

The equine industry plays a significant part in the rural economy, is a multi-million pound business, works on an all-Ireland basis and this should be encouraged and enhanced by all in government.

Yours etc.,

GEOFF CANNON, Chairman of ECNI.

Report clarification

IN his letter to The Irish Field (June 12th edition, page B2), Brian Graham states that the KPMG report into the funding of racecourse was commissioned by Down Royal and Downpatrick racecourses. We have been asked to clarify that the Department for Rural Development in Northern Ireland independently commissioned the report in July 2007 and it was published in March 2008.

Letters to the Editor should be addressed to The Editor, The Irish Field, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12. Name, address and telephone number must be included for verification. Letters are published at the Editor’s discretion and the Editor reserves the right to edit letters within reason.