AFTER three years of hard work, the Equine Council for Northern Ireland is at an advanced stage with plans to have equestrianism officially recognised as a major contributor to Northern Ireland’s economy.

A group of voluntary individuals, working on behalf of the equestrian industry as a whole, the ECNI acts as a conduit with government bodies.

Currently, equestrianism is not recognised as an industry and does not feature anywhere in the current programme for government.

As a result of Geoff Cannon, chairman of ECNI, meeting with DAERA Permanent Secretary Noel Lavery, the Chief Veterinary Officer for NI, Robert Huey, who incidentally has a personal interest in horses, was tasked with setting up an equine strategy in conjunction with ECNI.

ECNI are now at an advanced stage with this work and papers will be presented to the Northern Ireland Civil Service Board at their October meeting to have equestrianism officially recognised as a major contributor to the Northern Ireland economy.

In the last three years, ECNI had 33 meetings including eight full days with DAERA officials involving numerous senior civil servants, namely Head of Policy and Head of Farming & Foods, together with the Chief Veterinary officer.

ECNI arranged visits to yards including racing, riding schools, show jumpers, both North and South of the border, to introduce civil servants to the industry.

The outcome of this familiarisation was the formation of a project team involving both ECNI and government to develop an equine strategy for Northern Ireland.

The Equine strategy for N. I., which has been prepared by the Chief Veterinary officer and his team, in conjunction with ECNI, is testament to the level of willing within aspects of DAERA to recognise the industry for what it is – a major employer and contributor to the N.I. economy.

BREXIT VOICE

In addition, ECNI has also recently become involved in representing the industry in various Brexit forums, including the All Ireland Sectorial Dialogue on the Equine Industry in June organised by Minister Michael Creed in Portlaoise.

The sport horse industry was represented at this by just two individuals from Horse Sport Ireland, ECNI Secretary David Kirkpatrick while 24 prominent players from the thoroughbred industry were present.

ECNI are also liaising with politicians in NI with regard to Brexit to ensure they are fully briefed on the potential implications.

The board of ECNI continues to have concerns over the rates issue. Following the public consultation last year ECNI made a further submission to the Finance Committee.

The result of this was that ECNI were invited to make a presentation to the Finance Committee in person on the key rating issues impacting the industry.

Unfortunately, the NI Government was suspended before this could happen.