HL Deb 25 June 2003 vol 650 cc29-30WA
Viscount Astor

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has agreed to fund the £500,000 required to set up the database to implement the Horse Passports (England) Order 2003. [HL3383]

Lord Whitty

The Government have agreed to support the establishment of a database of all equines in Great Britain though this is not a direct obligation arising from the horse passports legislation. We are working closely with the equine industry to develop a database which meets the requirements of both government and industry. The Government have agreed in principle to fund the start-up costs of a database, subject to the further detailed work on costs and benefits that is now being undertaken.

Viscount Astor

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has agreed to provide staff to manage or assist the management of the database required for the Horse Passports (England) Order 2003. [HL3384]

Lord Whitty

Arrangements for the ownership, management and staffing of the proposed national equine database are currently being discussed with representatives of the equine industry.