Dear all

Please find below a press release which is also available using this link
from the SWLGA website:
http://www.southwest-ra.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=2285




PRESS RELEASE

SWLGA/11.06/121
27 November 2006

Authorities hit out at £42 million Defra cuts

The South West Local Government Association (SWLGA) and Somerset County
Council have hit out over proposed cuts valued at almost £42 million by the
Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) when Members from across the
region met in Exeter on Friday (24 November 2007).

The South West Local Government Association and Somerset County Council have
major concerns over the Department for Food and Rural Affairs mismanagement
of the payments to South West farmers and have passed a resolution, also
approved by a recent meeting of Somerset County Council, calling for an
urgent meeting with the Minister to voice their concerns. The SWLGA regrets
the budget cuts that Department is now making to services that will have
negative effect on Farming in the South West.

DEFRA cuts include:

    a.. £12.9 million, or 7%, cut for Natural England
    b.. £403,000, or 8%, cut for Food From Britain
    c.. £23.7 million, or 5%, cut for the Environment Agency
    d.. £300,000, or 8%, cut for the National Forestry Company
    e.. £1.7 million, or 6%, cut for the Marine Fisheries Agency
    f.. £15,000, or 4%, cut for the Meat and Livestock Commission
    g.. £3 million, or 3%, cut for the State Veterinary Service

as well as a £3.9 million, or 7%, cut for British Waterways that has already
been announced and which could cause some canals to close.

The Chair of the SWLGA, which represents the 51 Local Authorities in the
South West,
Cllr Ron Parker said: "The South West is a predominantly rural area and the
well being of farmers is vital to the economic success of the region.
Equally the South West values its environment and has many Areas of
Outstanding Natural Beauty much appreciated by residents and visitors alike.
These cuts, if implemented will have a profoundly negative effect on the
South West."

The cuts to the State Veterinary Service are particularly concerning at a
time when Defra is already failing to combat the rise of TB, and should be
maintaining a high level of surveillance and research into the bird flu
threat.

SWLGA Member and Somerset County Councillor Jill Shortland added: "It is
good news that SWLGA Members agreed to seek an urgent meeting with the
Minister so that our concerns can be made clear."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For more information or to arrange further comment contact either:

Drew Aspinwall, Principal Communications Officer, SWLGA on 01823 425265 /
07841 214687 or email  drew.aspinwall@southwest-ra.gov.uk

or Robert Gunning, PR and Media Relations Manager, Somerset County Council
on 01823 355018,  07766 781864 or email RGunning@somerset.gov.uk