§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the future viability of livestock markets in England and Wales; and what steps she has taken to provide financial assistance for the additional costs involved in implementing extra disease prevention measures. [11421]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Department's immediate priority is to eradicate foot and mouth disease. We have not made a formal assessment of the longer term viability of livestock markets. However, there will be a need to consider the extent to which the movement of animals through markets contributed to the spread of the disease.
There are no plans to provide financial assistance to livestock markets for the costs incurred in relation to biosecurity arrangements. Livestock markets are legally required to carry out cleansing and disinfection at the conclusion of each market and must therefore bear these costs themselves.