Government rethink on cost and responsibility sharing
UK - DEFRA Minister Lord Rooker believes 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
2 minute read
The Ulster Farmers Union has welcomed these comments, made by the Minister during the Royal Show at Stoneleigh this week. They come after many months of crunch talks between industry and government representatives on animal health policy.
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 the policy. We'd like to thank our local Minister of Agriculture, Michelle Gildernew, for her input on this subject, at a recent DEFRA-devolved administrations meeting.”
Following the representations it appears from Lord Rooker’s statement that farmers concerns are being taken on board and listened too. It's hoped constructive dialogue on the issues can now resume and industry and Whitehall find a workable solution for all.
On Monday Lord Rooker will attend a consultative forum in London, UFU President Kenneth Sharkey and Policy Officer Ian Stevenson will also be at the meeting.
Mr. Sharkey said it was imperative that this issue is progressed using a partnership approach. "Industry needs to take 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,” he added.
