I’m fed up with talking about the weather, but I can console myself with the fact we have grabbed every opportunity so far and progress is not too bad.Defra to publish Responsibility and Cost Sharing plans
DEFRA is due to publish its draft Animal Health Bill this afternoon (Monday, January 25).
The Bill will lay out the principles of the Department’s Responsibility and Cost Sharing plans.
This involves the setting up of a new ‘arms length’ independent body that will take responsibility for animal health policy in England.
In exchange for having a greater say in disease policy, farmers will be forced to share the cost of the animal health budget, primarily through a levy.
The plans are hugely controversial. Liberal Democrat Shadow Defra Secretary, Tim Farron said it was ‘grossly unfair’ to make livestock farmers share the cost of animal disease, given that the 2007 foot-and-mouth outbreak came from Government-licensed premises.
“The Government’s decision to pass the buck is a disgrace,” he said.
“Farmers understand the need to protect public health. But in the current economic climate there can be no justification for shifting the cost to livestock farmers.”
* More news when we get it.
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