SCHEDULE 4CONTROL AND ERADICATION OF TSE IN OVINE AND CAPRINE ANIMALS

Derogation10

1

Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) to (4)

a

the Department may decide to delay the destruction of any animals specified in a notice served under paragraph 6; or

b

the occupier of the relevant holding may apply to the Department for a delay in the destruction of any such animals.

2

The Department must not decide upon, or consent to, a delay unless satisfied that—

a

the frequency of ARR allele within the relevant breed or holding is low or absent; or

b

a delay is necessary in order to avoid inbreeding.

3

Subject to sub-paragraph (4), the Department may decide upon, or consent to, a delay of up to five breeding years.

4

The Department must not decide upon, or consent to—

a

any delay, if a breeding ram (other than a ram of the ARR/ARR genotype present within the breed or holding) is on the holding; or

b

a delay of more than 18 months in relation to ovine or caprine animals kept for the production of milk or milk products intended for placing on the market.

5

An application under sub-paragraph (1)(b) must be in writing and must set out in full the reasons for the application.

6

The Department must provide the applicant with a decision in writing, stating that the Department—

a

consents to the application;

b

consents in part to the application; or

c

refuses the application.

7

The Department may impose any conditions that it considers to be reasonably necessary in relation to any decision made, or consent granted, under this paragraph.

8

Unless the Department consents to the application in full, the appeals procedure in regulation 11 applies.