A Warwickshire-based equine lawyer has won the backing of MPs after taking on a temporary role as a lobbyist to win support for people who drive horseboxes.
Jacqui Fulton, an associate solicitor at Blythe Liggins Solicitors in Leamington, launched a petition after an interpretation of the latest transport regulations saw full-time workers effectively banned from driving a horsebox at weekends.
And she has now been backed by numerous MPs after she helped launch a petition to lobby the government over controversial legislation affecting people who drive horseboxes.
Ms Fulton, who represents some of Britain’s top riders, branded the new legislation “ludicrous” and has urged the Government to change the rules.
The campaign has already seen high-profile showjumper William Furnell and his eventer wife Pippa sign up to the petition after they fell foul of the regulations at a recent equestrian event at Hickstead. And now a number of MPs, including shadow secretary of state for transport Theresa Villiers and Jim Fitzpatrick, minister for the horse, have pledged their support.
Mrs Fulton’s meeting with the former Transport Minister Geoff Hoon was cancelled after the expenses scandal broke and he was moved to Defra. She is now in the process of setting up a conference with new minister of state for transport Sadiq Khan.
Mrs Fulton said: “The EC regulation concerns rest periods for HGV drivers but, by default, applies to the non-commercial sector as well. The situation is untenable – and equestrians are not the only ones being caught out by this daft piece of legislation.”
The horse industry has united in blaming the Government’s enforcement agency the Vehicle Operator Services Agency (Vosa), which ensures drivers comply with road traffic legislation – much of which is set by the EU.
“Looking at the letter of the law, which is the only way you can get to the bottom of this, Vosa are wrong. The matter needs to be clarified – because once Vosa starts to bring prosecutions, they will get the bit between their teeth,” said Mrs Fulton.
Also up in arms are the British Horse Society and the British Equestrian Federation, who are joining Horse & Hound and Mrs Fulton in her lobbying of the Government and the European Commission for either exemption or a change in the law.
Ms Fulton started the campaign against the laws, which she described as “ludicrous”, in April this year.
