§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Whitty on 29 May (WA 154), what incentive there is for owners of exceptionally valuable animals to report their suspicion of disease. [HL4651]
§ Lord WhittyScrapie is a legally notifiable disease since January 1993. Receipt of compensation for animals which are showing signs of a serious neurological disorder might be seen as an added incentive to report suspicion of disease.
§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 29 May (WA 154), why farmers are expected to take out additional insurance for animals worth more than £400 when the taxpayer will pay compensation for animals up to that level. [HL4650]
§ Lord WhittyThe ceiling of £400 provides a means to strike a balance between the interests of the taxpayer and those of animal owners. It should be borne in mind that a maximum of £400, in addition to the costs of diagnosis and disposal, is paid as compensation for animals which were showing signs of a serious neurological disorder when they were slaughtered and would very likely have died anyway. It is a reasonable expectation that the loss of animals whose value would not be met by this amount of compensation would be covered by private insurance arrangements.
§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 29 May (WA 154), whether they will increase the maximum compensation payable from £400 to full market value. [HL4652]
§ Lord WhittyArrangements covering compensation of animals slaughtered as a disease control measure are kept under review.