GOVERNMENT ADAMAMENT FARMERS WILL PAY FOR DISEASED STOCK
September 18, 2009 1:40 PM
"I recently voiced my concerns, says Nick "over the Animal Health Responsibility and Cost Sharing Bill which will see farmers pick up half the cost of dealing with animal disease. However, the Government remains adamant they will pay."
When Nick challenged defra over the implications of Responsibility and Cost Sharing (RCS) Jim Fitzpatrick, Minister of State for Food, Farming and Environment argued:
"Animal diseases are bad for everyone - the animal, the keeper, and the tax payer. We see sharing responsibilities and sharing costs as two sides of the same coin. Accountability relating to decision making and funding will act as a powerful driver to help deliver better animal health, and in doing so will help secure long term sustainability for the livestock sector."
Nick responds, " Frankly this is so much hot air, essentially the issue is whether farmers should have to pay for Labour's failed and very costly animal disease control regime in the name of saving the Government money."
Minister counters: "The current situation is unsustainable, but RCS is not simply a cost cutting exercise, and defra are not looking to remove funding from the animal health budget, although there will be a degree of efficiency savings sought by the Comprehensive Spending Review."
"The 3rd consultation round for RCS closed at the end of June," says Nick, "and my real worry is that defra have already made up their minds come what may."
"According to the National Beef Association Bovine TB is currently costing £100m a year and is forecast to rise to over £1bn by 2015."
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