Government Plans for Disease Fee ‘Unfair’

West Country farming leaders are in an uproar over government plans to charge farmers a levy to help pay the cost of handling animal diseases, such as Avian Flu and Foot and Mouth Disease.

The controversy has arisen following the announcement by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) that farmers must begin sharing the cost of disease outbreaks.

Government ministers say it’s only “right” that farmers help with these costs, since they stand to benefit most by eradicating these diseases.

As part of the government proposal, an independent body would be set up to make critical decisions on issues pertaining to disease outbreaks.

The body would be comprised of experts in animal health as well as people with wildlife and industry knowledge.

The National Farmers’ Union has spoken vociferously against the new policy, with president Peter Kendall calling it “outrageous.”

Kendall said that what makes the suggestion particularly offensive is the fact that it’s the government that has not done enough to keep disease away from the area farms.

By most estimates, the new government proposal will cost up to £22.5 million to implement.

The government says that, especially in light of the current worldwide recession, it’s necessary for farmers to do their part to eliminate the biggest threat to their own industry.