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| Exmoor pony branding to be banned | Exmoor pony branding to be banned |
| (4 days later) | |
| The use hot irons to brand a rare breed of pony is to be banned in Scotland, a minster says. | The use hot irons to brand a rare breed of pony is to be banned in Scotland, a minster says. |
| Exmoor ponies have been identified by brands for generations but opponents say the process is cruel. | Exmoor ponies have been identified by brands for generations but opponents say the process is cruel. |
| Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said no further authorisations would be granted and regulations would be altered pending a consultation. | Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said no further authorisations would be granted and regulations would be altered pending a consultation. |
| The Exmoor Pony Society, formed in 1921 to protect the rare blood line, said it would fight the decision. | The Exmoor Pony Society, formed in 1921 to protect the rare blood line, said it would fight the decision. |
| Only about 3,000 of the breed exist worldwide, with just a few hundred in Britain, mainly concentrated in south west England, including on Exmoor in Devon and Somerset. | Only about 3,000 of the breed exist worldwide, with just a few hundred in Britain, mainly concentrated in south west England, including on Exmoor in Devon and Somerset. |
| Our policy which allows the hot branding of equines ... is difficult to justify Richard Lochhead, environment secretary | Our policy which allows the hot branding of equines ... is difficult to justify Richard Lochhead, environment secretary |
| Brandings need to be officially authorised in Scotland. Nine permits were issued in 2009. | Brandings need to be officially authorised in Scotland. Nine permits were issued in 2009. |
| Mr Lochhead's decision was set out in a letter to SNP MSP Bill Wilson, who has campaigned on the issue in the Scottish Parliament. | Mr Lochhead's decision was set out in a letter to SNP MSP Bill Wilson, who has campaigned on the issue in the Scottish Parliament. |
| Mr Lochhead said: "I have given this further thought and have, on reflection, decided that our policy which allows the hot branding of equines, even when only allowed by a specific authorisation, is difficult to justify." | Mr Lochhead said: "I have given this further thought and have, on reflection, decided that our policy which allows the hot branding of equines, even when only allowed by a specific authorisation, is difficult to justify." |
| He added: "Although it may take some time to amend the necessary legislation, hot branding will no longer be permitted as no authorisations will be issued." | He added: "Although it may take some time to amend the necessary legislation, hot branding will no longer be permitted as no authorisations will be issued." |
| Mr Wilson said the move was "very welcome". | Mr Wilson said the move was "very welcome". |
| He said: "Hot branding is a primitive and unreliable means of identification, so there is no justification for it." | He said: "Hot branding is a primitive and unreliable means of identification, so there is no justification for it." |
| The British Veterinary Association has also described hot branding as "unacceptable" on welfare grounds. | The British Veterinary Association has also described hot branding as "unacceptable" on welfare grounds. |
| However, the Exmoor Pony Society said that such a ban was "not good for the breed". | However, the Exmoor Pony Society said that such a ban was "not good for the breed". |
| Micro-chipping of the ponies was made compulsory in 2009 under EU law, but the society said that form of identification was suitable only for handled animals. | Micro-chipping of the ponies was made compulsory in 2009 under EU law, but the society said that form of identification was suitable only for handled animals. |
| A spokeswoman for the society said: "They're semi-feral and they need identification that can be read at a distance." |