Partnership approach the route forward to prevent disease
Proposals to develop a partnership approach to the management of animal health and welfare were published today.
The Responsibility and Cost Sharing Report has been published by an expert forum convened by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead in July 2010. The forum was tasked with examining how shared responsibility on animal disease management could be taken forward.
As well as advising against the imposition of a direct levy on farmers to cover the cost of exotic animal disease, the report recommends:
Proposals to develop a partnership approach to the management of animal health and welfare were published today.
The Responsibility and Cost Sharing Report has been published by an expert forum convened by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead in July 2010. The forum was tasked with examining how shared responsibility on animal disease management could be taken forward.
As well as advising against the imposition of a direct levy on farmers to cover the cost of exotic animal disease, the report recommends:
- retaining the General Stakeholder Group which meets regularly to discuss animal health and welfare issues
- that any implementation of cost sharing should be gradually phased in and must be open and transparent
- a mixed model for the cost of compensation should be introduced and should vary depending on disease and the value of livestock
- the introduction of insurance policies to safeguard the industry against losses and business interruption during an exotic animal disease outbreak.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
"The European Commission is considering how all member states should balance the responsibilities and costs associated with animal diseases between government and the industry.
"Scotland's industry has a chance to shape how these responsibilities are shared in future and find the best solution for ourselves.
"The forum has consulted widely and openly with the industry on this issue and the preferred option is the introduction of an insurance product to protect them from the disruption that could be created in the wake of an exotic animal disease outbreak.
"The Scottish Government must work with the insurance industry and other UK administrations to ensure that appropriate and affordable products are developed."
Forum Chair, John Ross, expressed his thanks for the frank and open views relayed by the industry which helped shape the final report.
He said:
"While we accept that a number of the recommendations here may be challenging for both the Scottish Government and for animal keepers, they are far outweighed by the benefits to be gained."
Background
The Expert Forum was established in July 2010 with a view to developing and presenting to the Scottish Government, proposals on a partnership approach to the management, including costs, of animal health and welfare in Scotland. It had a particular focus on exotic disease.
John Ross, chaired the forum with members participating on an individual and not organisational capacity. The membership of the and terms of reference can be found at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/animal-welfare/RCS
Options considered were:
"Scotland's industry has a chance to shape how these responsibilities are shared in future and find the best solution for ourselves.
"The forum has consulted widely and openly with the industry on this issue and the preferred option is the introduction of an insurance product to protect them from the disruption that could be created in the wake of an exotic animal disease outbreak.
"The Scottish Government must work with the insurance industry and other UK administrations to ensure that appropriate and affordable products are developed."
Forum Chair, John Ross, expressed his thanks for the frank and open views relayed by the industry which helped shape the final report.
He said:
"While we accept that a number of the recommendations here may be challenging for both the Scottish Government and for animal keepers, they are far outweighed by the benefits to be gained."
Background
The Expert Forum was established in July 2010 with a view to developing and presenting to the Scottish Government, proposals on a partnership approach to the management, including costs, of animal health and welfare in Scotland. It had a particular focus on exotic disease.
John Ross, chaired the forum with members participating on an individual and not organisational capacity. The membership of the and terms of reference can be found at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/animal-welfare/RCS
Options considered were:
- a gradual transfer of costs for animal health and welfare service to industry,
- a mixed model for the cost of compensation for animal losses during an outbreak of exotic animal disease,
- an insurance product for animal, and business interruption, losses during an outbreak of exotic disease, and
- raising revenue via levy.
The Expert Forum - Responsibility and Cost Sharing Report is available at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/animal-welfare/RCS
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/animal-welfare/RCS
