Speaking after his election, Mr Murphy said, “Horses play a vital role for the economies of rural areas, contributing to growth and jobs and encouraging consumers to have a healthier lifestyle through agriculture, equestrian schools, sport, education, agri-tourism and therapy . Horse production and training has an important role to play in supporting sustainable rural communities”.
“We therefore need to create the right environment in which farmers can earn enough to make their businesses viable. This also impacts on the welfare of horses which can be improved when there is an economically viable production system. Primary producers need to remain profitable if they are to respond effectively to new challenges such as limited natural resources, the effects of climate change or the emergence and spread of new diseases”, he stressed.
The EU Commission recently recognised the contribution of the horse sector to the objectives of the European 2020 Strategy. Copa believes that taxation is the first thing that needs to be looked at in order to develop a real European policy for horses. A fair fiscal system adapted to the different needs of each Member State and that allows professional horse owners to generate the necessary revenues to maintain their economic activity is not yet in place at EU level”.
Other priorities for Mr Murphy focus on exchanging best practices on research and innovation in the sector to ensure a viable sector and ensuring that simplification of policy is extended to the equine sector. He would like to cooperate with other EU organisations to ensure that equines are high on the political agenda. James Murphy is from Fiddawn, Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, and a member of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA). He is a producer of both thoroughbred and sport horses on his farm and is also a livestock and tillage farmer. He is keen on many equestrian sports including eventing, show jumping, hunting and racing. He will be supported by two Vice-Chairpersons Erica Lindberg from the Swedish Farm Organisation LRF and Marianne Dutoit from the French farm organisation FNSEA.
