Call for devolution of animal health monies (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh Liberal Democrats)

Edinburgh East and Musselburgh Liberal Democrats <Charles.Cavaye@talktalk.net>

Call for devolution of animal health monies

October 6, 2008 11:16 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Commenting after a debate in the Scottish Parliament on the Scudamore Report into Foot and Mouth Disease, Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs spokesperson Liam McArthur said:

"Professor Scudamore's report has been widely welcomed. It is important that all of the lessons from the 2007 Foot and Mouth outbreak are learned and acted upon.

"Liberal Democrats, however, want to address an anomaly of devolution which means that while the Scottish Government has policy responsibility for animal health and welfare, the budget for this is controlled by DEFRA.

"Scotland's agricultural industry is inextricably linked into the wider British industry. Nothing should be done to put this at risk.

"Liberal Democrats believe that having policy responsibilities and budgets more closely aligned makes sense. This is a view shared by the industry. It is now a view supported by Parliament."