Thank you all for casting your votes for the Horse Industry Referendum!

The referendum passed with an overwhelming 96% voting "Yes". 

Out of 558 total votes, 537 voted Yes, while only 21 voted No.

Thank you all for your support of REINS    and the North Carolina Horse Council!

Horse Industry Promotion Referendum

NEWS RELEASE

 Horse and other equine animal owners/leassors will vote across the state on March 5, 2008 to determine whether to CONTINUE TO voluntarily assess themselves two dollars ($2.00) per ton of commercial horse feed in order to provide funds to promote the interests of the horse industry.

Since many horse owners work away from home during business hours, a provision has been made for absentee voting.  Between February 15 – March 1, horse owners may visit or phone the County Extension Center and request a ballot and absentee registration form.  These must be turned in to the Extension office by March 4, and will be counted along with others on March 6.

If the vote is favorable on March 5, the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will continue to receive the assessment funds from manufacturers and/or distributors of horse feed, and will remit the money to the NC Horse Council.  The Horse Council has indicated that the funds will be used for 4-H programs, REINS volunteer programs, trails advocacy, equine research, representation of horse interests in government, marketing programs, enforcement of horse laws, and improved public awareness of diseases and other threats to horses’ well-being.

Many other agricultural commodities have similar voluntary assessment programs.  Horsemen may receive a refund of the assessment by writing to the NC Horse Council within a year of purchase and including proof of purchase.

Additional information is listed on the        Union County Cooperative Extension and North Carolina Horse Council websites.

Union County Cooperative Extension

NCHC - Horse Industry Referendum 2008