Defra blunder means cash squeeze

COUNTY chiefs have reacted with disappointment to news that vital funding for tackling animal diseases has been lost due to a government blunder.

Suffolk County Council's animal health team is facing a spending cut of up to 12 per cent because of a shortfall of more than £1 million between what councils in the UK were promised and the cash available, the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (Lacors) said.

Joanna Spicer, responsible for public protection at Suffolk County Council, said the cost to the authority of the blunder is £15,000 in addition to £29,000 already owed to the council.