FSA/Defra Consultation Letter, 11 April 2011
A copy of the consultation document is available on this site. See: DEFRA BSE Consultation Document
The FSA, Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government are consulting on (i) increasing the age above which all healthy cattle slaughtered for human consumption must be tested for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), from 48 to 72 months, from 1 July 2011; and (ii) from 1 January 2013, testing a sample number of healthy cattle slaughtered for human consumption aged over 72 months. Responses are requested by: 6 May 2011
Audience
Who will be affected by the proposals in this consultation?
The cattle and meat industries, principally abattoirs that slaughter cattle aged more than 48 months for human consumption. Consumers will also have an interest.
What is the purpose of this consultation?
The European Union (EU) has agreed an amendment to Commission Decision 719/2009/EC to provide the United Kingdom (UK) and 21 other member states with the options of (i) increasing the age above which all healthy cattle slaughtered for human consumption must be tested for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), from 48 to 72 months, from 1 July 2011; and (ii) from 1 January 2013, testing a sample number of healthy cattle slaughtered for human consumption aged over 72 months.
Have there been any previous consultations on this topic?
Defra, the Welsh Assembly Government and the FSA consulted on changes to BSE testing in September 2008 and on the TSE Roadmap 2, in July 2010.
Consultation details
This consultation is being co-ordinated by Defra.
The consultation package includes a partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment. This provides further detail on the above measures in terms of their impact on stakeholders.
Separate consultations on proposals to make similar changes in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are being carried out in those countries.
Responses:
Your views and responses to specific questions are sought on the proposals described in the consultation document and Impact Assessment available on Defra’s website from the link below.
Responses are required by close Friday 6 May 2011.