This House of Lords Library briefing provides information in support of the House of Lords second reading of the Farriers (Registration) Bill scheduled to take place on 6 April 2017.
Farriers (Registration) Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages (129 KB , PDF)
The Farriers (Registration) Bill is a House of Commons private member’s bill introduced by Bryon Davies (Conservative MP for Gower), and sponsored in the House of Lords by the Earl of Caithness (Conservative). The Bill has completed all stages in the House of Commons and is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 6 April 2017. The Bill is backed by the Government, who have drafted the Explanatory Notes which accompany it.
The purpose of the Bill is to make provision about the constitution of the Farriers Registration Council (FRC), and its committees. The FRC is the regulatory body for the farriery profession in Great Britain. Its statutory responsibilities, as provided for by the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975, include to maintain a register of farriers; determine who is eligible for registration; and to regulate farriery training. Further, the FRC investigates and, where necessary, determines disciplinary cases through its statutory Investigating Committee, and its Disciplinary Committee. The Bill would allow for the constitution of these bodies to be changed to reflect developments since the 1975 Act, and allow for future changes to be made through regulations rather than primary legislation. The Bill received cross-party support during its passage through the House of Commons.
Farriers (Registration) Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages (129 KB , PDF)
The Hares (Closed Season) Bill [HL] would create a closed season during which it would be an offence to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure or take any hare between 1 February to 30 September each year. It would also repeal the Hares Preservation Act 1892.
![Hares (Close Season) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 52 of 2024–25](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Agriculture-and-farming-568x426.png)
The government has announced various policies affecting farming and rural communities. Examples include the closure of the sustainable farming incentive, changes to inheritance tax relief and planning reforms set out in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Whilst some stakeholders have welcomed the plans, the government has faced strong opposition from the farming industry about the impact these policies could have on farm businesses and rural communities.
Extreme rainfall and flooding in 2023 and 2024 impacted farmers and affected the supply of some domestically grown food. It is predicted that future climatic changes could impact agriculture and domestic food production, presenting both risks and opportunities. This briefing examines how the government is supporting farmers and growers to adapt to climate change.
