Not enough done to prevent new diseases

Mar 28 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

THE National Beef Association (NBA) have responded to Defra’s disease cost sharing proposals for the industry by claiming not enough is being done to prevent new diseases entering the UK.

Defra is considering how animal health and welfare may be paid for in the future, with decision-making and costs to be shared between the industry and the Government.

But the NBA believes the proposed disease levy should be introduced after an outbreak and not beforehand.

Given that the move is backed by EU legislation, it cannot be avoided but some of the specifics about how it is carried out can be modified.

The NBA says the industry and the Government must both know exactly what is required of the other or there might be a breakdown.

They believe the best course of action is to reduce the combined disease cost by stopping the spread of infection on the farms and trying to curb the entry of disease from abroad.

NBA chairman Duff Burrell said: “Responsibility and cost sharing policies hinge around TB. There is a long way to go on this policy but it must be developed to our advantage; better and more efficient Animal Health Policy delivery.

“We do not want a levy and all the bureaucracy and cost that it will entail.

“The industry must work with the Government to make the system more efficient.”