Bird flu defence cuts false economy - Huhne

9.44.50pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 25th Oct 2006

The Liberal Democrats today revealed new analysis of Defra's £200 million budget cuts, which include £2.4m from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency and £3m from the State Veterinary Service.

The cuts, which the Government has previously attributed to bird flu preparations as well as overspend on single farm payments, will hit the very agencies that monitor animal diseases, including bird flu.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow DEFRA Secretary, Chris Huhne MP who revealed the new figures said "Any cuts to research and testing of animal diseases is a false economy.

"These cuts are misconceived from the start and should have been paid for by the Government's contingency funds.

"The Government's excuses don't stack up and the full damage is still unknown.

"Previously, the Government was keen to stress that the cuts were due in part to spending on bird flu defences. Yet today, when bird flu research agency cuts were announced, the farming minister blamed new accounting practices.

"David Miliband must come before Parliament to explain in full the causes and consequences of these cuts. It is essential he confirms why the shortfalls weren't covered by contingency funds."