Industry Re-Engages in Animal Health Talks
UK - The Ulster Farmers’ Union, NI Meat Exporters Association, NIAPA and the NI Poultry Federation have announced that they will now re-engage with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on Animal Health Responsibility and Cost Sharing, following constructive dialogue with DARD on the Terms of Reference for the process.The UFU says the Terms of Reference for the Northern Ireland Responsibility and Cost Sharing Working Group will now be re-visited, with DARD giving an undertaking that efforts will be made to more explicitly incorporate in the Terms of Reference key issues raised by industry representatives. These include: the desire to achieve demonstrable responsibility sharing before cost sharing is implemented; and also the thorough examination of the cost efficiencies of DARDs service delivery in a particular area before cost sharing is considered in that area”.
UFU President Graham Furey said; “In particular we believe that progress can be made on the future control of Bovine TB, including the role which wildlife plays in the spread of this disease. Against this background the participating organisations in the Working Group; NIAPA, NIMEA, NIPF and the UFU, have agreed to re-engage in this process. An extension to the deadline for responses until 17 November 2009 has been secured which gives us and other interested parties more time to respond.”
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