A NEW Government plan for dealing with illegal animal and plant imports has been welcomed by the NFU.
According to the union, the revised draft of the Action Plan is a "significant improvement" on the situation before the foot-and-mouth outbreak of 2001.
The plan promises to give responsibility for policing illegal imports to Customs and Excise; to making EU-wide improvements in protection measures; and to put warnings on airline tickets.
The NFU has, however, questioned whether the £6 million a year funding for the plan is enough.
NFU food standards chairman Michael Seals said: "The action plan is good news but the current funding plan means local authority and port health enforcement officers are being asked to deliver a step-change in border and inland checks on a tight budget."
April 10, 2003 12:30
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