Defra’s proposed consultation on Responsibility and Cost Sharing

18 January 2009

It has previously been reported that the proposed consultation on RCS for Animal Health policy and delivery in England would commence on the 15 December 2008 and close in March 2009. Defra have confirmed this week that this has been delayed and will not be released until week commencing the 12 January 2009. Defra believe the previous consultation process, which closed in April 2007 and outputs from the regional workshops undertaken during the consultation period showed broad support for the formation of a new independent body for Animal Health policy and delivery. At present the management of animal health policy and all decisions rest with the Secretary of State and Defra officials. However, it is recognised that Ministers are not necessarily best placed to take these decisions and that the process can be subject to inappropriate political factors. Defra, therefore considers animal health policy can be improved by placing responsibility with a new “arms length” body. Decision-making will rest with a Board whose members are suitably qualified and have the relevant skills and experience relating to animal health and the livestock sector. The consultation will seek views on the formation of this new independent body and it will also look at a number of funding mechanisms, focusing on those areas which Government are seeking to share costs, such as exotic disease surveillance and preparedness and the development of a contingency fund to deal with outbreaks of exotic disease. The NFU position on RCS remains unchanged, and we will continue to appose, frustrate and challenge any attempt to transfer Defra’s animal health costs to industry.