Independent Animal Health body - ’Wolf in sheep’s clothing’

The Tenant Farmers Association has joined with a number of other sector specific organisations in writing to DEFRA Secretary of State, Hilary Benn to express its opposition to plans for an independent animal health body.

TFA Chief Executive, George Dunn said "The TFA is unconvinced that it is appropriate or necessary to create a new independent body for animal health. We are aware of those who believe that creating such a body would remove the "politics from animal health policy" however the TFA simply does not believe that that will be the case. DEFRA’s consultation document contains no adequate justification for the creation of an independent body and appears only to use the phrase as some form of "magic wand". If it is to be justified on the basis that Ministers are unable to make decisions about animal health in the best interests of the nation then it is a sad indictment on Ministers who should be acting in a statesman-like way rather than pandering to one interest group or another depending on where there may be more votes."

"We are well aware that for some time it has been the Government’s intention to pass Exchequer costs for animal health onto the industry. The TFA believes that those organisations supporting the independent body approach are simply providing a false legitimacy to the Government’s plans to charge the industry. The independent body will simply be a wolf in sheep’s clothing with no real benefit to the industry or the wider public," said Mr Dunn.

"Whilst rejecting the independent body approach, the TFA supports fully the development of the current framework of core and stakeholder group partnerships and believes this is the most effective and efficient basis for the way ahead. The core and stakeholder partnership model has already proved itself to be successful in the handling of disease crises such as the 2007 Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak and the ongoing threat from Bluetongue and in the sharing of responsibility for animal diseases including the cost burdens associated with these," said Mr Dunn.

"The sector bodies signing the letter to Hilary Benn have sent a clear statement of rejection of his current approach to animal health issues and we hope that other organisations will join with us as they are prompted to do so by their members," said Mr Dunn.