An independent advisory group on reducing the risk and cost of animal disease and improving the welfare of kept animals today published its recommendations to Ministers.
The independent Advisory Group on Responsibility and Cost Sharing’s key recommendation is for responsibility sharing through the creation of a new ‘Partnership Board’. This would bring together key Defra officials and external members with knowledge and experience of the relevant businesses, farming and other kept animal sectors as well as those with wider interests in animal health and welfare and its public health implications.
Defra will consider the recommendations before making proposals in the new year on the best way forward on sharing the responsibility and cost of preventing and tackling animal disease outbreaks with the people who look after them. Animal keepers have invaluable experience and knowledge that should be fully used to tackle animal disease.