Government rethink on cost and responsibility sharing

UK - At the Royal Show, this week, Defra Minister Lord Rooker expressed his veiw that cost sharing should go hand-in-hand with responsibility sharing and that nothing should be pushed through parliament without the backing of industry or the devolved administrations.

6 July 2007

1 minute read

Europe

The Ulster Farmers Union has welcomed these comments from the Minister, which have come after many months of crunch talks between industry and government representatives on this matter.

UFU President, Kenneth Sharkey said; “Lately we have been seriously concerned that farmers could be contributing further to the costs of animal health control, but without any real say in animal health policy”.

“We thank our local Minister of Agriculture, Michelle Gildernew, for her input on this subject, at a recent Defra- devolved administrations meeting.”

“Following these representations it appears from Lord Rooker’s statement that our concerns have been taken on board and constructive dialogue on the issues can now resume”.

On Monday Lord Rooker will be attending a consultative forum in London, UFU President Kenneth Sharkey and Policy Officer Ian Stevenson will be attending this meeting.

Mr. Sharkey said; “It is imperative that this issue is progressed using a partnership approach with industry taking as much time as necessary to get proper arrangements in place. Cost sharing cannot be taken forward on its own without an adequate say in policy.”