HL Deb 06 December 2001 vol 629 c155WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What were the total costs to the taxpayer of the court cases involving appeals against decisions by Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs officials to slaughter animals during the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [HL1579]

Lord Whitty

There have been 61 cases so far in which the department has received representations from solicitors. Costs for these cases have not yet been finalised. We always seek to recover costs and have been successful in doing so.