This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Proposals to strengthen BSE controls
01/07/2005
Tighter controls, including jail sentences, could be introduced to prevent and eradicate diseases like BSE.
The proposals launched for consultation will consolidate and clarify legislation on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) - a group of diseases like BSE which affects the central nervous system, including the brain.
Under the plans, a new offence would make it illegal for anyone to send for slaughter, for human consumption, cattle born before August 1996. Penalties for committing such an offence would include fines of up to £5,000 and a maximum two years in prison.
Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie said:
"Regulations already exist to control the spread of TSEs. The actions we are proposing today will clarify and consolidate those regulations, and tighten feed controls.
"The responsibilities of primary producers, collection centres and abattoir operators in delivering a robust BSE testing regime are clarified and clearly defined.
"The proposed legislation will update TSE controls in Scotland and send a clear message to the unscrupulous few that non adherence to these rules will not be tolerated.
"I urge all those concerned to consider carefully the content of these proposals and to participate fully in this consultation."
Included for consultation are plans to:
- Clarify the scope of existing controls by aligning them with European legislation
- Rationalise the appeals procedure
- Change the laws on entitlement to compensation when feed bans have been breached or samples taken un-testable
Comments on these proposals should be submitted by September 6, 2005.
Parallel consolidation proposals were recently issued in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.