An Independent Body for animal health: Consultation March 2009 Summary: Brief description of the main proposals

Responsibility and Cost Sharing Programme
Animal Health and Welfare
Defra
Area 5E Millbank
c/o Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR

Website: www.defra.gov.uk

30 March 2009

Dear Consultee

An Independent Body for animal health: Consultation March 2009 Summary: Brief description of the main proposals

I am pleased to invite your views on Government proposals to establish a new independent body for animal health in England, and to create a new funding structure for animal health activities. The Government believes there is a need to strengthen the governance and financial links with those most directly interested in the outcomes of the policy, while ensuring that public health and the wider public interest is protected.

The following documents may be found on Defra's website at: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/ahws/sharing/index.htm

  • Consultation letter
  • List of Consultees
  • Consultation Document and supporting annexes
  • Response Form
  • Impact Assessment
  • Summary: a brief description of the main proposals

The document "A new independent body for animal health: a modern governance and funding structure for tackling animal diseases" follows our earlier extensive consultations on responsibility and cost sharing in 2006 and 2007. This latest document builds on the earlier exercises.

I encourage anyone with an interest in this area to respond to the consultation, even if you feel that only some of the questions we ask are of direct relevance. If you know of others who would be interested in receiving this consultation document, please pass it on to them. The consultation period closes on 30 June 2009.

This document is issued for England only.

Responses

Please send your written responses to RCSharing@defra.gsi.gov.uk or to Mike Weavers at the above address.

Transparency policy

In line with Defra's policy of openness, at the end of the consultation period copies of the responses we receive may be made publicly available through the Defra Information Resource Centre, Lower Ground Floor, Ergon House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR.  The information they contain may also be published in a summary of responses.

If you do not consent to this, you must clearly request that your response be treated confidentially.  Any confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system in e-mail responses will not be treated as such a request.  You should also be aware that there might be circumstances in which Defra will be required to communicate information to third parties on request, in order to comply with its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations.

The Information Resource Centre will supply copies of consultation responses to personal callers or in response to telephone or e-mail requests (tel: 020 7238 6575, e-mail: defra.library@defra.gsi.gov.uk).  Wherever possible, personal callers should give the library at least 24 hours  notice of their requirements.  An administrative charge will be made to cover photocopying and postage costs.

Comments or complaints about the consultation process (as opposed to comments about the issues which are the subject of the consultation) should be addressed to Marjorie Addo, Defra’s Consultation Co-ordinator, Area 7C Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR or email consultation.coordinator@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Yours faithfully

Gavin Ross
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

 

Page published: 30 March 2009