Horses for courses
‘I could eat a horse’ has taken on a new meaning in the UK in recent times. The European Commission has also been arguing with the Irish Government about horses – Ireland has allowed a lower rate of VAT to be charged on some supplies of horses and dogs, but the Commission says that lower rates can only be applied to animals which are intended for human consumption.
The Court of Justice has agreed with the Commission: if you want to ride an animal or love it as a pet, you have to pay the standard rate of VAT on it. But don’t try to bargain for a discount in a pet shop by taking a knife and fork!
