Commenting on proposals set out in the Government’s draft Animal Health Bill today which would see livestock farmers pay half the cost of preparing for animal disease outbreaks, Ludlow Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Heather Kidd said:
“It’s grossly unfair for ministers to make livestock farmers pay, given the 2007 Foot and Mouth outbreak came from Government-licensed premises. The Government’s decision to pass the buck is a disgrace. Farmers understand the need to protect public health. But in the current economic climate there can be no justification for shifting the cost to livestock farmers.”