Animal health cash deal sought

Published on Thursday 2 July 2009 21:03

THE battle to see Scotland gain its appropriate share of the UK budget covering animal health and welfare continues with both the Scottish Government and NFU Scotland arguing that a solution must be found soon.

As matters stand the issue is devolved, but Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) in London retains control of the purse strings. Defra is proposing that farmers in England should contribute to a cost-sharing levy that would be used to compensate producers in the event of a major disease outbreak. Such a move would be resisted in Scotland, both by farmers and politicians.

NFUS vice-president Nigel Miller said: "Stakeholders working alongside the Scottish Government since devolution have made year-on-year improvements in the field of animal health and welfare.

"However, despite several assurances, the appropriate budget has yet to move from Westminster to Scotland. That money must be transferred prior to any changes being formalised by the current Defra consultation on the creation of a new English animal health body.

"It is also concerning that the relationship between the independent body proposed for animal health and welfare in England and the three devolved administrations is touched on in the consultation, but that no consideration has been given to a co-ordinated approach."