HL Deb 25 April 2001 vol 625 cc49-50WA
Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the statement by the Baroness Hayman on 9 April (H.L. Deb., col. 1013), whether the 11 directors of operations appointed in the most affected areas are Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food personnel; to whom they are responsible; and what is their relationship to veterinarians, slaughtermen, the Army and farmers. [HL1785]

Baroness Hayman

Of the 10 directors of operations currently posted to the areas of England most affected by foot and mouth disease, seven are Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food personnel. All the regional operations directors in England are responsible to senior managers in the ministry. The directors of operations appointed in Wales and Scotland are members of the National Assembly of Wales Agriculture Department and the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department respectively and responsible to senior managers in those departments.

All regional operations directors work in close co-operation with the veterinarians and the Army and contact with slaughterers as necessary. They liaise with farmers and their representatives to seek to ensure the effective operation of the policy.