Veterinary Medicines Directorate

HC Deb 04 July 1995 vol 263 cc125-6W

Mr. Garnier

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what performance targets he has set for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate in 1995–96, and, if he will make a statement. [32853]

Mr. Waldegrave

The chief executive of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate has submitted his proposals to me and I have agreed that the VMD should be set the following performance targets for 1995–96.full cost recovery for the three business activities of licensing, policy work and residues monitoring; 77 per cent. of new applications for marketing authorisations to be issued within 120 clock days; 95 per cent. within 200 days; an overall efficiency gain of 2 per cent.

These are challenging targets which will build on the improvements already made in the efficiency and quality of service provided by the directorate since its establishment as a next steps agency, and for which I commend the chief executive and his staff. In addition, I have agreed the VMD's corporate plan for 1995–96 to 1997–98, and copies are being placed in the Library of the House and the Public Information Office.