Tenant farmers oppose animal health proposal (From Hereford Times)

Tenant farmers oppose animal health proposal

12:00pm Wednesday 1st July 2009

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THE TENANT Farmers’’ Association has told Defra Secretary of State Hilary Benn that it is opposed to plans for an independent animal health body.

Chief executive George Dunn said the association was “unconvinced that it was appropriate or necessary” to create such a body.

It would simply be a wolf in sheep’s clothing with no real benefit to the industry or the wider public, said Mr Dunn.

“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 ,’’ he said.

But the TFA fully supported the development of the current framework of core and stakeholder group partnerships which had already proved itself to be successful.

The letter of objection sent to the minister is in line with one from British Egg Industry Council, British Poultry Council, Game Farmers Association, National Beef Association, and the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers.

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