VOTERS with a connection to the racing and breeding industry are being urged to remind politicians on their doorstep of the industry’s significant contribution to the economy and the need for increased state support.

Christy Grassick, chairman of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, said: “Where traditionally we have enjoyed great support from successive Governments we need to be very conscious of the changing political landscape.

“To assist us become more relevant at a political level, we are currently engaging professional assistance with a view to formulating an action plan to implement once a new Government is formed.

“As we are in the middle of a General Election campaign, I ask you all, when candidates from all parties and none knock on your door, tell them you are working in a vibrant rural-based industry which provides a significant economic contribution and employs 29,000 people, and you want their support if they are to be elected.

“We have a very strong economic case to make and now is a very opportune time to do so.”

Party Promises

FIANNA FAIL

Horse racing and breeding is a strong indigenous industry with a long historic tradition on this island. We must maximise the economic impact and job potential of this enormous resource and consolidate its position as a first in class leader in the global industry.

We will:

• Secure the long-term funding of the horse racing sector to ensure its prestige and credibility as the global leader is fully maintained.

• Draw up and implement a national plan for the development of the equine industry factoring into account the ramifications of Brexit.

FINE GAEL

We are fully committed to the future of horseracing and will work with Horse Racing Ireland in developing the industry over the coming years. We recognise the exposure of this valuable sector to Brexit and will work with the industry to put in place workable solutions for the movement of horses in a post-Brexit environment.

We will continue to invest in the horseracing industry and in essential infrastructure, such as the Irish Equine Centre.

We have doubled the level of funding for the horse sport sector and will continue to support the implementation of Reaching New Heights, which underpins the sector.

SINN FEIN

Conduct short review of the gambling sector and introducing regulatory reform of the sector.

LABOUR

Labour will ring-fence part of the Betting Levy to fund animal welfare inspectors to ensure only the highest practice is permitted in any sports or pursuits involving animals (such as greyhound racing and horseracing).

One eighth of the Betting Duty receipts will be allocated to a new Football Fund. This would go some way to recognising that the majority of bets placed are on football.

Labour will implement a strategy to tighten the regulation of gambling and to reduce problem gambling in society. We will close down illegal casinos and illegal forms of gaming. Labour will ban the use of credit cards for gambling. Labour will change betting duty to apply to individual bets as a surcharge rather than being a tax on turnover as at present. This will support small scale and independent bookmakers.

GREEN PARTY

Stop the hunting of wild animals with hounds.

The manifestoes for the Social Democrats and People before Profit do not mention horses or betting.