A North Carolina state referendum was passed with an 80% majority approving a tax of $2 on each ton of horse feed sold. According to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, this will raise $200,000 annually for promotion of the horse industry in North Carolina.

Approval of the self-imposed tax indicates a sincere interest in the growth and development of the horse industry in North Carolina. This action follows that of the Virginia horse industry, which several years ago approved a tax on Coggins tests that returns money to the industry for research, development, and promotion.