Future of the Countryside and Farming

HL Deb 03 May 2001 vol 625 cc138-9WA

The Earl of Caithness

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consideration they have given to the settng up of a Royal Commission to look into the future of the countryside and farming following the loss of income to the farming community in recent years which has been compounded by the foot and mouth epidemic. [HL1881]

Baroness Hayman

The Government have made it clear that at the conclusion of the foot and mouth outbreak we will need to consider what lessons can be learned. The form that this exercise will take has not yet been decided. Our top priority is to focus on implementing the mechanisms to control and eradicate the disease.