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| For Immediate Release, Monday 28 October 2019 Activists claim VRC plan is a start but $200 Million needed to save horses from slaughter The Victorian Racing Club announced this morning that an Equine Wellbeing Fund will be established for racehorses and more than $1 million will be raised from ticket sales that will kick start the program. Activist group, the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) welcome the announcement but says it’s simply not enough. In 2013, CPR submitted a proposal for the Rehabilitation and Re-homing of Thoroughbreds to Racing Australia (read here). It estimates that today, around $200 million dollars a year is needed annually to create an effective retirement plan. “While we acknowledge this is a start, we’ve done the math and much more money is needed to ensure the protection of these horses after racing. We’ve even worked out how to fund the initiative.” Said Elio Celotto, Campaign Director for CPR.“ In the proposal, a 1% levy on betting turnover would raise in the vicinity of $190 million per annum. A further 1% levy on prize money and a $2000 foal registration fee would also raise further funding. “A 1% levy on all betting turnover would raise in the vicinity of $190 million. What punter would begrudge 1 cent out of every dollar going towards a retirement plan for racehorses.” “Importantly the $2000 foal registration levy would not only raise funds for the retirement plan but deter over-breeding- the principle cause of the wastage problem in the first place.” While CPR is pleased with the announcement, they have been campaigning for a retirement plan for 10 years. “Finally we’re seeing the racing industry respond but the fact that it’s taken a graphic behind the scenes expose of the racing industry makes it difficult to believe that they are motivated by anything more than money and this move is just a public relations exercise.” “The slaughter of horses is definitely the biggest problem facing the racing industry however if they are genuine about horse welfare, they also need to consider the immediate phasing out of the whip and abolish the other inhumane practices such as the use of spurs, tongue ties, unnatural feeding regimes that cause stomach ulcers and the confinement of horses in small stables up to 23 hours per day.” he said “Welfare reforms will help but people must realise that this industry is built on exploiting horses for profits. Their suffering is and always will be inherent”. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
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