Although I am absolutely no fan of boxing, news of David Haye’s remarkable victory over the 7ft 2in Russian, Nikolai Valuev, for the WBA Heavyweight Championship of the World, has given me hope that ‘David and Goliath’ struggles do exists and winning against incalculable odds can be achieved.

Furthermore, it has been inspiring to listen to subsequent interviews given by this articulate young Englishman, Britain’s first world heavyweight boxing champion for six years; his self-belief and determination to win, is surely a lesson to us all? It was these characteristics along with skill and not brawn that earned him his crown.

The ‘Goliath’ that horse and pony owners are currently facing is much greater, uglier and much more intimidating than any mere mortal. Of course, I refer to the ogre called ‘bureaucracy’, ably assisted in the corner by the ‘Nanny State’.

Our government seems intent on piling on the punches of control, to the extent that we are all feeling somewhat punch drunk with the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ hurled at us. The equestrian community has become, like the punch bag, an easy target, so much so that while it may not yet be the time to throw in the towel, it certainly is time to sound the bell for some precious time out.

My somewhat battered approach to life was prompted by reading a recent article in the press about the livestock tax, which is currently being considered by Defra for implementation in 2012. (I say ‘considered’, but the cynic in me would possibly prefer planned.)

The Defra proposals, outlined in May, establish a livestock registration fee/levy combined with a compulsory insurance scheme to help cover the costs of dealing with exotic diseases such as foot-and-mouth. There has been a ‘Responsibility and cost sharing’ consultation and, I understand, that within recent weeks Defra has held a meeting with equine stake holders. To date, the levy costs have included those for sheep, pigs, birds and cattle, however, pets and horses are being kept within Defra’s radar – hence the discussions.

As most of the readers will know, agriculture and rural affairs are devolved powers within Britain’s political structure; Scotland, Wales and Ireland all following their own policies in these areas. To this extent, Defra’s powers only apply to England, so the spectre of a livestock levy is not currently looming over Scottish heads – but for how long?

Dr Amanda Fox, the Scottish Government’s head of policy and lead person for responsibility and cross-planning, assured me in a recent conversation that Scotland has no plans to follow the Defra initiative preferring instead to wait for European Union legislation which should cover this.

In typical ‘grey suit’ speak, she told me that there were ‘noises’ that it will be in 2013 that EU law, covering health laws and bringing in fiscal powers, has to be in place, so discussions will have to be held before then.

Ominously, she also told me that Richard Lockhead, Scottish Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for Rural Affairs, agrees in principle with cost sharing of health costs by the livestock industry. However, there are no current proposals to act on this particularly in the current financial climate. For the moment, it would seem that equine owners can breathe a sigh of relief but, again, I pose the question, for how long?

To quote Dr Fox, despite the Scottish minister’s desire to be “in the position to influence any decision that is made on this”, one is left wondering how he can effectively achieve this since Scotland isn’t a member state of Europe and consequently, despite Alex Salmond’s loud protestations, doesn’t have an influential say within European.

At best, Scotland can hope to influence EU legislation through the UK government currently headed by Rt Hon Hilary Benn, who has the responsibility to take this one through and, according to Dr Fox, “will represent Scottish interests.” She assured me that the Scottish Government has “good working relationships with Defra.”

Given political agreement on both sides of the Border on responsibility and cost sharing, I can see the day that all owners of livestock in Scotland, including equines, will be paying a levy, despite a very slight chance of any equine ‘exotic’ disease firstly having a significant effect on the equine population and secondly, having any effect at all on the human population.

The practicalities of collection have been nicely assisted by the astute innovations of passports and micro-chipping, procedures which have rendered the horse owner easily identified.

Like the Russian boxer, I sense this is a sleeping giant waiting to be tackled. Perhaps the equestrian community should take a lead from David Haye by having the courage of its convictions to take on the bureaucrats using all the skills available to their membership with an optimism that doesn’t come easily to the Scottish psyche.

There are many bright and articulate people within this community who should champion the cause and be ready to take on the fight.

I am confident that the talented advocates within the Scottish Equestrian Association (SEA) and British Horse Society (BHS) are ready to work together to maximise their existing lobby within the Scottish Government to aid the cause.

Sadly I fear that the issues which have arisen from the European driving regulations have made this fight a no contest for the horse industry, the bureaucrats scoring a knock out before the bell was even been sounded.

Like the transportation of livestock regulations, these laws are characterised by their lack of flexibility or rather their refusal to be flexible. Is this a continental European trait?

On questioning Dr Fox about the sensibility of European legislation, she reminded me that we belong to the EC so we have to go by the rules it creates.

My dad was a lorry driver and I remember well the furore when the tachograph was introduced. He and his colleagues called it ‘the spy in the cab’ and how right they were.

It has amazed me that drivers of horse boxes have escaped its grasp until now and I worry that the regulations will move towards the small van conversions which are currently exempt as non HGVs. Where is the logic that hobby drivers who hold down full time jobs outwith the horse industry can cover literally thousands of miles annually travelling to shows without regulation while the professional competitor travelling many fewer miles can’t?

After all, how many accidents involving horse boxes are recorded annually? The statistics demonstrate that horse box drivers are good, safe drivers so why pick on them? Again, the equestrian is an easy target.

It’s quite depressing to think that the situation can only get worse but rest assured it will.

Take health and safety for example. Look how nonsensical this has become.

For example, a janitor in school has to hold a certificate of competence covering climbing ladders in order to use one when changing a light bulb. Closer to home, riders in showing classes are not allowed to wear pierced jewellery while competing in case of injury. Apart from the difficulty of checking up on this, surely this is up to the individual to decide on the risk they are taking?

Bearing cases like these in mind, I have to ask the question why is it that fireworks have managed to escape the regulation of the Health and Safety Executive? Given the horrific statistics on human injury and even death caused by fireworks, surely the time has come for serious regulation if not a complete ban. In addition, with so many people within both the urban and rural population involved with animals, why has there been no political initiative to deal with them?

I would have thought that the case for a ban on fox hunting pales into insignificance, compared to the need for a ban on fireworks. Shame on the Government that financial considerations have taken precedence over common sense for surely this can be the only reason why regulations have not been more rigorous in their approach to fireworks.

Finishing on a positive note, I was encouraged by the both the ease of access to a spokesperson for the Scottish Government and the competent and friendly manner in which my questions were addressed. The down side of this for the Scottish Government, however, is that, now that I have the contact details, I’ll be sure to be back on the phone in the near future.