§ The Duke of Montroseasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether extra finance has had to be supplied to local authorities in England and Wales since the 89WA introduction of regulations requiring the licensing and recording of sheep movements to cover the administration costs; if so, how much; whether extra staff have been employed as a result; and, if so, how many. [HL1027]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty)Extra finance has been supplied to local authorities to cover the additional administration costs involved in data capture and for other activities required to ensure traceability of livestock and compliance with the Disease Control Order and other regulations.
90WAAdditional staff have been employed by many authorities to carry out these tasks, although this varies according to the size of the authority. As payment is made on the basis of time spent on the additional activities, no figures are available for the total number of staff so employed.
Payments to local authorities in England and Wales for additional activities carried out under the interim animal movements arrangements for the period 11 February 2002 to date (17 January) total £4,924,440.
The records do not distinguish between the costs of administration for sheep and other species.