Speaking from London after a Government/industry meeting, UFU President, Kenneth Sharkey said; “We have consistently and repeatedly told DEFRA since the outset of this process that there could be no deal on animal health cost-sharing proposals unless farmers were given a proper input into animal health policy making. It is now clear that this view is supported by the devolved administrations”.

“Despite the understanding that we thought we had from Government that this was likely to happen, it emerged recently that DEFRA were intent on introducing legislation in November which would enable cost-sharing to be introduced without responsibility sharing. This simply cannot happen. If Government are looking to the industry to help cover animal health and welfare costs then they cannot expect us to contribute financially without having an equal say in the development and operation of these policies which will deliver benefits to the industry”.

Kenneth Sharkey concluded by saying; “We now want to meet with DEFRA Ministers soon to fully convey our position and directly discuss this very important issue with them”.