Written question asked by Lord Taylor of Holbeach (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Tunnicliffe (Labour) on Monday, 5 October 2009.

Agriculture: Disinfectant Tests

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 4 June (WA 101), whether the rise in the charge for disinfectant tests for foot and mouth disease and swine vesicular disease reflects an anticipated increase in the number of those tests that will be required in 2009 and 2010; and whether any part of the rise represents an element of cost recovery from the outbreak at Pirbright laboratory in 2007.

Answer: Disinfectants testing carried out at the Institute for Animal Health for foot and mouth disease and swine vesicular disease must operate at full cost recovery. Each year estimates of costs are made using the average actual throughput from previous years in order to be able to work out the cost for individual tests. The disinfectants test charges do not contain any element of cost recovery from the outbreak at Pirbright laboratory in 2007. The costs of disinfectants testing operate on an economy of scale, so the costs could only be reduced in the future if there were more, not less, tests requested.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 712 c458WA; 5398
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Agriculture: Disease Testing
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Written questions
House of Lords
Notes: Answer received between Monday 14 September 2009 and Monday 21 September 2009.
Subjects: Costs Fees and charges Disease control Foot and mouth disease Testing Institute for Animal Health Disinfectants Swine vesicular disease
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk