Consultation on Responsibility and Cost Sharing

Responsibility and cost sharing aims to achieve a new partnership between industry and Government which will deliver a lasting and continuous improvement in the health and welfare of kept animals whilst protecting  the general public, the economy and environment from the effects of animal disease.  Through this agenda we will seek to reform and reshape the existing relationship between Government and industry which will simplify regulatory burdens, produce ways in which responsibilities and costs of animal health and welfare can be shared more equitably and find voluntary and market-based solutions for delivering animal health and welfare more effectively and efficiently.

The consultation document has three main elements:

•It sets out proposals for responsibility sharing through a partnership between Government and industry.

•It examines the scope of cost sharing and mechanisms to re-balance the future costs of animal diseases.

•It makes some specific cost sharing proposals in respect of certain BSE and Scrapie related activities.

The contents of this consultation will affect everyone with an interest in the health and welfare of farm livestock; in particular, livestock owners and producers.  

Replies to this consultation should be sent to Malcolm Hanna by 17 November 2008 at:-

or by post to:-

Malcolm Hanna

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Room 709

Dundonald House

Upper Newtownards Road

BELFAST

BT4 3SB