ANGRY horse owners in the New Forest are rallying against a new government tax, which they claim could threaten the future of the Forest.

The scheme could mean all horse owners, including the owners of New Forest ponies, are charged £10.50 a year for each animal.

Plans published by Defra propose the creation of a semi-independent body to prevent and manage the outbreak of animal disease. Funded in part by the taxpayer, the remainder of the cost would be met through an annual registration fee charged per animal.

Graham Ferris, chairman of the New Forest Commoners Defence Association, said the proposal to include horses in the cost-sharing initiative represented a serious threat to the economics of commoning. It could also mean an end to the free-roaming ponies that help to preserve the heritage of the land through grazing and browsing.

He said: “If the scheme is implemented to include a levy on horses, it is essential that there should be a derogation for commoners’ stock, if it is not to threaten the very future of the New Forest.”

Charges for owners would range from 9p a year for sheep to 82p for pigs, £2.50 for cattle and £10.50 for horses.

Mr Ferris added: “The suggested levy of £10.50 is disproportionate to the value of commoners’ stock. In the face of these proposals, commoners are already considering giving up.”

Mark Weston, director of access, safety and welfare at the British Horse Society, said: “The equine sector cannot be compared to the livestock sector – it is primarily a leisure activity. Two-thirds of owners have one horse – most do not keep horses to make money.”

The society has joined other equestrian organisations to launch the Rethink the Horse Tax campaign.

New Forest Verderers have also highlighted to Defra the importance of grazing ponies and will be seeking an exception for semi-feral ponies.

A spokesman for Defra said: “Sharing responsibility will provide opportunities for better regulation and less red tape in future, and more industry involvement in decision-making will help us to respond more effectively and efficiently.”

The spokesman added that no decisions had been made and any new arrangements should come into effect in 2012 at the earliest.