Farming leaders brand Animal Health Bill as unfit for purpose

Industry leaders have voiced mounting concern over government plans to make farmers partially responsible for the cost of combating animal disease.

Scots and Welsh fear fallout from Animal Health Bill

Farmers across the UK could be caught up in the fallout of the Animal Health Bill, it has emerged.

Reasons why you should have your say on the Animal Health Bill

Rob Newbery, NFU chief adviser leading on the Animal Health Bill, gives 10 reasons why you should have your say.

Animal Health Bill: Proposals for inclusion

Farmers Weekly looks at the proposals that the draft Animal Health Bill contains.

Livestock industry furious over animal health plan

Government plans to share the cost of combating animal disease with livestock producers across England are based on statistics which fail to reflect reality, it has emerged.

Vets concerned by animal health plans

Veterinary experts are disappointed that the government remains committed to separating its animal health and welfare policies.

Industry reacts to Animal Health Bill

DEFRA's plans to establish a non-departmental public body as outlined in the draft Animal Health Bill has received mixed reaction from farming organisations, with many deeply opposed to such plans.

DEFRA unveils draft Animal Health Bill

DEFRA has shelved plans to make livestock farmers take out insurance to help foot the bill for future disease outbreaks.
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Draft Animal Health Bill: What's In It?

The government plans to share the cost of combating animal disease with livestock producers across the country by introducing the Animal Health Bill. Farmers Weekly looks at the measures that Bill contains.

Will the Bill make it through Parliament?

NFU senior advisor Matt Ware takes a look at the Animal Health Bill's chances of making it through Parliament in the face of an upcoming general election.

Consultation

A government consultation on the draft Bill runs until 19 April. Although confined to England the Bill's provision could be extended at a later date to cover Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. To the see the consultation click here.

Have your say

Email comments to animalhealth@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Or send them to:

Animal Health Bill Team
DEFRA
Area 5E
9 Millbank
c/o Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR

You can also share your thoughts on the plan on our forum.