FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2005
RALEIGH , NC – The North Carolina Horse Council today announced plans for holding an equine industry referendum to extend the Horse Industry Promotion Assessment which was first authorized in 1999. The referendum will be conducted in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties on March 9, 2005.
Polling places will be set up in each county Cooperative Extension office. Horse owners will be able to vote on whether or not to extend, for three years, the $2.00 per ton assessment being paid by manufacturers of horse feed sold in North Carolina.
“The feed assessment has provided essential funding to the North Carolina Horse Council to meet a wide variety of needs throughout the horse industry,” said Casey M. Armstrong, president of the North Carolina Horse Council. “Revenue from the horse industry is estimated to be over $704 million annually, so it makes a huge impact to the NC economy. Employment of more than 10,000 people in North Carolina are directly or indirectly linked to the industry. This small self-assessment is just one way we can expand our services to horse owners and maximize the economic benefits of horse ownership.”
“I am very excited about the wide range of horse activities which have been started and expanded during the first six years of promotion assessment funding,” Armstrong continued. “As never before, we have been able to financially support 4-H and REINS (Regional Equine Information Network System) volunteers. We now have effective programs in place to assist with equine education, theft, disaster, animal welfare, environmental regulation, equine disease and liability issues. The NC Horse Council has made access and protection of trails a priority supported by the employment of a trails specialist. This funding has truly advanced the North Carolina horse industry. I hope our horse owners will vote on March 9 and I hope they will vote YES,” said Armstrong.
Polling places will be open during regular business hours in each Cooperative Extension Service office. Any horse owner/leassor, over the age of nine, can vote. There will also be an absentee balloting system put in place for owners who are not able to get to the Extension Offices on March 9.
For Additional Information contact
Cindy Wadford (919) 854-1990 or (800) 529-9206 |
