Farmers must contribute to cost-sharing debate – NFU

Livestock farmers are being urged to get involved in the consultation on cost-sharing by making DEFRA fully aware of the strength of opposition to the plans.

The NFU has issued a rallying call to livestock farmers to voice their feelings on the government’s plans to transfer millions of pounds of the cost of dealing with animal disease outbreaks to the sector.

DEFRA has begun an 18-week process of discussion with interested parties about the proposals and NFU president Peter Kendall said it was vital as many farmers as possible registered their views.

Mr Kendall said: “This is one of the most important issues the industry has had to face for a long time and to suggest this idea now, at a time when we are still picking up the pieces from foot and mouth and bluetongue, is unbelievably insensitive and shows very poor judgement on the government’s behalf.

Peter Kendall thumb

“We do recognise the tight budget controls that have been imposed on DEFRA by the Treasury. However, the industry cannot make up the shortfall – we also have very tight budgets and many of the products from the livestock sector at the moment are being sold below the cost of production. To suggest we should pick up further costs from the government is just plainly out of the question.

“We are prepared to help DEFRA review its policy areas on animal health and welfare and look for savings and this is where responsibility sharing comes in. We firmly believe that if we worked together on these issues we could find savings for DEFRA, the livestock sector and the tax payer.

“This is a critically important subject and I hope that farmers across England will respond to the DEFRA consultation document and make their views known.”

There is an electronic form to enable farmer to respond to the DEFRA consultation (however, this is quite lengthy and rather daunting). Alternatives would be to write a simple letter or to contact your MP. You can discuss the points you think should be made on our forums.