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Prime Minister

Answer

Mr. Nicholls: To ask the Prime Minister if he will set out the (a) terms of reference and (b) membership and (c) programme of the taskforce set up to consider the impact of foot and mouth disease on rural areas; when the taskforce is to report; if he will publish the findings of the taskforce; and if he will make a statement. [154212] The Prime Minister: I have asked my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment to chair a taskforce with the following terms of reference: To consider the implications of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease for the rural economy, both immediately and in the longer term and to report to the Prime Minster on appropriate measures. In particular to: (a) identify the problems that the FMD outbreak is causing for the wider rural economy; (b) draw up specific guidance for public and businesses in accordance with veterinary advice; (c) identify any initiatives--e.g. from the Rural White Paper-- whose implementation might be brought forward to help those caught up in the crisis; (d) identify potential new actions which would help to kick-start the rural economy again once the outbreak had been eradicated. The taskforce include representatives (including Ministers) of the following organisations: Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Department of Trade and Industry Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Department of Culture, Media and Sport Treasury No. 10 English Tourism Council Countryside Agency British Hospitality Association National Trust Federation of Small Businesses National Farmers Union Country Landowners Association South West Regional Development Agency Newcastle University Local Government Association National Federation of Women's Institutes The Rural Group of the Bishops of the Church of England Countryside Alliance Scottish Executive The Wales Office Northern Ireland Executive Forestry Commission. The first meeting of the taskforce took place on Wednesday, 14 March and it will meet again early next week. I have asked for the specific guidance to the public and businesses on access to the countryside to be prepared by the weekend, and for a report on immediate initiatives to help those caught up in the crisis as soon as possible next week. The taskforce will meet regularly.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

364 c753-4W; 154212

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Access Codes of practice Agriculture Countryside Disease control Foot and mouth disease Economic situation Rights of way Rural areas Foot and Mouth Task Force

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk