Rural Development Ministry State Secretary Gyula Budai informed national news service MTI on the weekend that he had requested the withdrawal of the Economy Ministry in a communique to National Economy Minister Mihály Varga.

Budai explained that “stricter regulation stipulated in the decree [would] not support the aim of the National Equestrian Program,” i.e. to increase sustainability of the equestrian industry in Hungary. The main complaint from sector professionals was that the current law “requires those offering equestrian services to stable at least five horses and to meet other strict conditions.”

Further discussion of the withdrawal with those in equestrian-related businesses is slated for Wednesday, January 8.

Governing party Fidesz announced an ambitious program to boost the subsector in July, with a party spokesman explaining that the current government wishes to “foster Hungarian culture’s deep love for horses” and that “equestrian sport and equestrian tourism bring visitors to Hungary and create jobs.”