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Proposed changes to BSE testing

Friday 31 October 2008

The Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland is consulting jointly with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in Northern Ireland on proposals to change the minimum age at which cattle are tested for BSE. The full consultation can be found on DARD's website.

All comments and views should be sent to:

Gerard Lennon

DARD TSE Branch
Room 714, Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
Belfast BT4 3SB

Tel: 028 9052 5539
Fax: 028 9052 4982
E-mail: gerard.lennon@dardni.gov.uk

Responses are requested by: 3 December

Consultation details

Under these proposals, the minimum age for BSE testing cattle slaughtered for human consumption and fallen stock would rise to 48 months and the legislation in all four countries of the UK would be amended to give effect to this change.

The FSA has held a number of stakeholder meetings to discuss this important issue and FSA will continue to engage with consumer groups throughout this consultation period.

The decision as to whether this change should be implemented in the UK will be taken in the light of the responses to the public consultation. The FSA Board and UK Health Ministers must also be in agreement before implementation can take place.

Responses should be received by 3 December 2008 ahead of the FSA Board meeting on 10 December. This consultation has received Ministerial clearance to proceed over a reduced time period in order to meet the EU’s expected timetable.

Separately, consultations have also been issued today by FSA Scotland with the Scottish Government and FSA Wales with Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government.

Further information

This consultation has been prepared in accordance with the (External) HM Government Code of Practice on Consultation , which states that a consultation must follow better regulation best practice, including carrying out an Impact Assessment (Regulatory Impact Assessment in Scotland). The assessment is included in the consultation documents.

We are interested in what you thought of this consultation and would therefore welcome your general feedback on both the consultation package and overall consultation process. If you would like to assist us to improve the quality of future consultations, please feel free to share your thoughts with us by using the consultation feedback questionnaire.

Download word Consultation feedback questionnaire  (Word)

Download pdf Consultation feedback questionnaire  (pdf)

Publication of response summary

Within three months of a consultation ending we aim to publish a summary of responses received and provide a link to it from this page.

If, after three months, the summary is still not showing, please contact the person who was responsible for the original consultation. Alternatively, you can contact Judith Taylor, the FSA Consultation Co-ordinator, on 020 7276 8633.
Email: judith.taylor@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

External links   The Food Standards Agency has no responsibility for the content of external websites

(External) Northern Ireland consultation Read the full consultation on proposed changes to BSE testing on the Northern Ireland Executive website (External) Get Adobe Acrobat reader You may need the free Acrobat Reader to view a pdf

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