Written question asked by Countess of Mar (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Davies of Oldham (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 April 2010.

Animal Health: Exotic Diseases

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government who will take the lead in the event of an outbreak of exotic disease under their proposals for sharing costs and responsibility for animal health and welfare.

Answer: Under the responsibility and cost-sharing proposals, the board and its chair will be responsible for day-to-day decisions on animal disease control measures in the event of a disease outbreak in England. The board will take decisions on the advice of the England CVO, in consultation with the CVO (UK), core stakeholders, and the devolved Administrations, as well as other appropriate parts of government. The England CVO will lead the immediate response. The chair and board will keep Ministers and the wider government informed as necessary.

Secondary information