Foot and Mouth (Hansard, 11 April 2002)

§ Mr. Keith Simpson
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what lessons have been learnt and incorporated into her Department's standard operating procedures based upon the outbreak of foot and mouth. [46750]

§ Mr. Morley
The independent inquiries put in place by the Government will make recommendations on lessons learned for the future. However, the Department has already taken on board some lessons learned in order to be better prepared should there be any recurrence of FMD before the outcome of the inquiry process. Details are set out in the FMD interim Contingency Plan published on 12 March and in part 3 of the Government Memorandum to the Lessons Learned Inquiry.

§ Mr. Paul Marsden
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost is of the claims, broken down by company, which remain to be paid by her Department arising from work in connection with foot and mouth. [44295]

§ Mr. Morley
The information cannot be provided at this time for reasons of legal and commercial confidentiality.

§ Mr. Levitt
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent talks she has had with(a) farmers and (b) the insurance industry about farmers obtaining insurance against future outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [46785]

§ Mr. Morley
My officials lead the animal disease insurance working group which includes representatives from both the insurance and farming industries. The group has met on 6 March and is meeting again on 9 April and 8 May.

§ Mr. Brady
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to review the application of the 20 day standstill period introduced following the foot and mouth disease outbreak; and if she will make a statement. [48077]

§ Mr. Morley
[holding answer 10 April 2002]: The interim rules for livestock movements, which we announced on 5 February, allow greater flexibility for farmers to move their animals. The 20 day standstill rule has been waived for some types of movement, subject to conditions and we will continue to keep these arrangements under review. However, veterinary advice is that the 20 day standstill needs to remain in place for the time being as a disease control measure. A copy of a document explaining the Veterinary basis for the Interim movement rules has been placed in the Library of the House and is available on the DEFRA website.