Supplementary Consultation on the proposed Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Regulations 2008

Food and Farming Group
Area 7E
9 Millbank
C/O 17 Smith Square
SW1P 3JR

Telephone: 020 7904 6327

8 May 2008

Dear Consultee

Consultation on the proposed Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE) (England) Regulations 2008: Supplementary Consultation

  1. Further to my letter  of 3 April 2008, inviting views on the above, I am writing again with regard to additional proposals for the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy TSE (England) Regulations 2008.

  2. The European Commission has recently secured Member States’ agreement to a proposal that will reintroduce the provisions relating to classical scrapie  that were suspended by the European Court of Justice in September 2007. As a result the Government now proposes amendments to the Compulsory Scrapie Flocks Scheme (CSFS) to enable application of the new provisions.

  3. It is proposed to amend Schedule 3 of the current Regulations to enable the Secretary of State to choose from the full range of options now available where classical scrapie is confirmed. This includes the options of monitoring flocks/herds or allowing animals to be sent for slaughter, subject to TSE testing of over 18 month animals, instead of requiring them to be killed and destroyed under a genotype and cull or whole flock/herd cull. The amendments would also set out provisions for administration of the new options and the responsibilities of occupiers.  The appeals procedure would apply to a decision to apply any of the options.

  4. A list of consultees and a supplementary Partial Impact Assessment, covering these proposals, will be placed on Defra’s website in a few days’ time.

  5. We welcome your views and comments on the proposals.

Responses

  1. Please send responses to either:
    Katie Barnes
    Defra
    Food and Farming Group
    Area 7E
    9 Millbank
    C/O 17 Smith Square
    SW1P 3JR
    Tel 020 7238 6535
    Fax 020 7238 6775
    Or e-mail:
    Consultation.TSEregs2008@defra.gsi.gov.uk

  2. Responses should be received by 26 June 2008.

  3. In line with Defra´s policy of openness, at the end of the consultation period copies of the responses we receive will be made publicly available through the Defra Information Resource Centre, Lower Ground Floor, Ergon House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR. The information they contain will also be published in a summary of responses.

  4. f you do not consent to this, you must clearly request that your response be treated confidentially.   Any confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system in e-mail responses will not be treated as such a request.   You should also be aware that there may be circumstances in which Defra will be required to communicate information to third parties on request, in order to comply with its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations.

  5. The library will supply copies of consultation responses to personal callers or in response to telephone or e-mail requests (tel: 020 7238 6575, email: defra.library@defra.gsi.gov.uk  Wherever possible, personal callers should give the library at least 24 hours’ notice of their requirements. An administrative charge will be made to cover photocopying and postage costs.

  6. If you have any comments or complaints about the consultation process, as opposed to  the content in the consultation paper, please address them to Marjorie Addo, Defra’s Consultation Co-ordinator, Area 7B Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR, or email consultation.coordinator@defra.gsi.gov.uk.

  7. Thank you for your help in this matter. If you have any queries please contact us as above.

Yours sincerely,

Katie Barnes
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Page published: 8 May 2008