§ Lord Joplingasked Her Majesty's Government:
What has caused the delay in answering the concerns of the National Farmers' Union over plans for the disposal of fallen stock following the ban on burial of carcasses on farms. [HL2353]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty)The Government have been in discussion with the NFU and representatives of the collection and disposal industries since April 2002 with a view to developing a national fallen stock collection service. Failure to make more rapid progress was because no agreement could be reached on how the service should be funded. The farming unions were calling for a scheme that was fully funded by government. This was not possible, both because it would have contravened state aid rules and because it is government's view that industries, including the agricultural industry, should be responsible for disposing of their own waste. Agreement has now been reached with the industry on a shared funding approach which farmers will be invited to join on a voluntary basis.
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§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are expected to be the public sector financial and manpower costs of implementing European Union Regulation 2000/0259 on the disposal of fallen stock; and [HL2412]
How they propose to enforce European Union Regulation 2000/0259 on the disposal of fallen stock where it applies to poultry; and [HL2413]
What is the present strength of the State Veterinary Service; and by what it is to be increased to administer European Union Regulation 2000/0259 on the disposal of fallen stock. [HL2414]
§ Lord WhittyThe EU animal by-products regulation insofar as it relates to disposal of fallen stock including poultry will be enforced by local authorities. It is not possible to estimate the total cost of this enforcement activity which will depend on the level of compliance. The State Veterinary Service has 279 permanent veterinarians and 56 casual veterinarians.