The anger of equestrian centers and pony clubs. They are mobilizing throughout France against an increase in VAT from 5.5 to 20%. A demonstration is to be held this Monday in Toulouse before a large rally on December 8 in Paris.

We must maintain the equestrian VAT at 5.5%, this is in essence what the French equestrian centers are demanding at the beginning of December. A rate he deems necessary for their survival.

Since 2014, the VAT that applies to equestrian centers is complex. It ranges from 5.5 to 20% depending on the items of expenditure, fodder, breeding or riding lessons. The owners of these centers are worried about seeing this VAT permanently and globally set at 20%. for all items. “It would weigh down a lot of small pony clubs and it could jeopardize the already weakened structures” worries a center manager in Haute-Garonne

The sector also fears layoffs in clubs which are already warning of all the current increases linked to inflation and in particular that of hay after a bad harvest year.

“There has already been a drop in attendance since the start of the school year with purchasing power at half mast, explains the center director. If we were to pass on a 15% VAT increase, some would no longer have access to this activity and it would be catastrophic for us”.

Not to mention the covid-19 and the confinement that the sector suffered in 2020 and 2021.

April 2022, the European VAT Directive was revised by including a point relating to “live equidae and the provision of services related to live equidae”. “Thanks to this point, which it ardently defended, France has the opportunity to secure the system put in place at the end of 2013 for equestrian establishments”, rcalls the French Riding Federation. However, the government seems reluctant to definitively include this reduced rate in the 2023 finance bill.

After 10 years of fighting, the national equestrian group has no intention of giving up so close to the goal. .

Rallies were organized in different cities in France on December 3 and 4. A demonstration at the call of the National Horse Group is scheduled for Paris on December 8.

In our region, a demonstration is being held this Monday, December 5 in Toulouse.