§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish her Department's strategy for coping with a new outbreak of foot and mouth. [54521]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 7 May 2002]: The Interim Foot and Mouth Disease Contingency plan was placed on DEFRA's website for consultation on 12 March 2002. It codifies the operational response regime that was developed during the last outbreak and as such forms the basis for any future response to a new disease outbreak. It is however work in progress and will be reviewed to take account of any recommendations made when the official independent inquiries report.