The Bill, introduced by Stephen Crabb, Conservative Member of Parliament for Preseli Pembrokeshire, is due to receive its Second Reading in the House of Commons on Friday, 14th March 2008.

The proposed law will introduce an important amendment to the Animals Act 1971 to limit cases where animal owners can be "strictly liable" for accidents caused by their animals. Strict liability imposes legal responsibility on animal owners, even when they have taken all responsible steps to prevent an accident. Ever since a House of Lords ruling in 2003 that extended the application of strict liability, insurance premiums have soared, threatening the livelihoods of thousands in small stables across the country.

Since announcing his intention to introduce a Bill on this matter, Stephen Crabb has received widespread support for it from a wide range of interested groups, including the British Horse Society, the National Farmers Union, the Country Land and Business Association and the Countryside Alliance. Additionally, the insurance industry and lawyers that have been involved in compensation cases have welcomed the Bill. The government has also indicated that it will be supporting the Bill. It is of particular interest to the equine industry, with gross output estimated at £3.4 billion per annum.

The Bill will undo the effect of the 2003 House of Lords ruling, in the Mirvahedy v Henley case, which has had a disastrous impact on equine businesses in particular, as a result of soaring insurance costs. Riding stables saw an increase of around 25% in the year after the ruling and overall insurance bills have risen by two thirds since 2003. industry due to the rise in insurance premiums.

Stephen decided to address the problem after hearing of the increased insurance burden facing the Llanwnda stables in his constituency in Pembrokeshire. Owner Mrs. Ingrid Evans has seen insurance premiums rise by over 800% in the last seven years, from £858 in 2001 to over £7000 today.

Stephen Crabb commented: "The current interpretation of the law has caused enormous problems for animal owners, particularly for horse owners. My Bill will clarify the law in this complex area. It will ensure that responsible animal owners are better protected against compensation claims in cases where they were not at fault. With so many people enjoying horse riding, it is important that responsible owners are given the protection they deserve, while ensuring that victims can pursue claims against negligent owners and owners of dangerous animals."

CLA President, Henry Aubrey Fletcher, said: "This is a vitally important Bill for all horse and animal owners and the CLA has been closely involved in the drafting of the Bill. Stephen Crabb must be congratulated because this Bill, if it becomes law could mean the difference between economic survival and bankruptcy for many equine businesses. "

Graham Cory, Chief Executive of The British Horse Society said: "No-one argues that irresponsible animal owners should be protected from the consequences of their irresponsibility, but it is unfair that those who have done all that a reasonable person could be expected to do should be penalised for an event which they were powerless to prevent. Stephen Crabb's Bill will do much to redress the balance in the direction of fairness and common sense."

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