This seeks to open a discussion with the livestock industry, consumers and all those with an interest in animal health and welfare on future options of the future management of animal health policy .

This type of approach will provide opportunities for improved regulation and reduce the regulatory burden in the future. The industry will benefit from an increased involvement in the decision making process in this area which should result in a greater ability to respond and deliver efficient solutions in the future.

This consultation applies to England only; parallel consultations have been issued in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The consultation will close in twelve weeks time on the 12 th March 2007.

Animal Welfare Minister Ben Bradshaw said:

This consultation is not a Government presentation of detailed options, or proposals. It is about defining a new relationship between Government and industry. The detail of how that relationship will work needs to be developed in partnership.

The focus of this announcement is responsibility sharing. I want to see the farming industry increasingly take ownership of animal health and welfare issues. I want see them sharing the financial burden and I want the industry driven less by regulation and more focused on making its own decisions and managing its own risks.

ThePoultrySite News Desk