A NEW law which gives farmers more protection against fly-grazing has been widely welcomed in rural communities.

The Control of Horses Bill, passed last week, provides greater options to deal with horses and ponies left to graze illegally on their land.

It is expected to have particular benefits for parts of Eden, Lunesdale and Sedbergh, where fly-grazing can be a nuisance in the run-up to the Appelby Horse Fair.

The bill, which is now awaiting Royal Assent, means landowners and occupiers will be able to detain horses after a minimum period of 96 hours, rather than 14 days under current legislation.

At the end of the four days, the horses could be disposed of in whatever way is deemed fit - including having them destroyed. Current legislation does not allow this.

Sedbergh sheep farmer Alison O'Neill welcomed the new law, saying illegal grazing of horses robbed farmers of a 'valuable asset'.

She said she was 'aware that it happens' when travellers stop over in the area on their way to Appleby during May and early June.

"I welcome the new law. It is wrong to put horses on somebody else's land without permission. For livestock farmers, grassland is like money in the bank. I wouldn't be allowed to get away with putting my sheep in somebody else's field. It is right there should be one law for all."

Dorothy Fairburn, regional director of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), said: “We are delighted that farmers and landowners will at last be able to deal with fly-grazed horses in a timely, humane and cost-effective manner without damage to land or at risk of liability for horses left illegally on their land.

“In its original form, the Bill would have put our members at a disadvantage by not allowing them the same controls as local authorities so we are pleased the Government has now responded to our concerns by extending powers in the Bill to private landowners.”