TODAY MPs will debate a petition urging the government to set up an independent regulatory body “which will take meaningful action to stop horses dying.”

A debate, which will start at 4.30pm today, has been called after a petition with over 105,000 signatures including that of Stroud MP David Drew was submitted.

It states that states that “around 200 horses die each year due to racing in Britain.”

Included in the petition is a call for the government to 'create a new independent welfare body to protect racehorses from abuse and death'.

In response to the petition the government said that it “does not consider that it is necessary to create a new body to protect racehorse welfare,” and outlines that “the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is responsible for the safety of jockeys and horses at races in this country.”

The top 10 parliamentary constituencies that supported the petition are (number of signatories shown after constituency and MP's name):

  • Cheltenham, Alex Chalk MP, 388
  • Isle of Wight, Mr Bob Seely MP, 343
  • Hastings and Rye, Rt Hon Amber Rudd MP, 340
  • Stroud, Dr David Drew MP, 331
  • Brighton, Pavilion Caroline Lucas MP, 325
  • Tewkesbury, Mr Laurence Robertson MP, 313
  • Torridge and West Devon, Rt Hon Geoffrey Cox QC MP, 309
  • Wealden, Ms Nusrat Ghani MP, 296
  • Totnes, Dr Sarah Wollaston MP, 295
  • Forest of Dean, Rt Hon Mark Harper MP, 294

This afternoon’s debate will be opened by Mike Hill MP, a member of the petitions committee, and will provide an opportunity for MPs to question a government minister directly on this topic.

Watch the debate live online: parliamentlive.tv/Guide

Read the debate transcript: hansard.parliament.uk/

Follow the Committee on Twitter: twitter.com/hocpetitions