Updated: Published summary of responses
Update: 23 November 2012
The Commission have announced that their proposal to allow all Member States (except Bulgaria and Romania) the option of not testing healthy slaughtered cattle from 1 January 2013 will be delayed by at least two months due to the need for scrutiny by the European Parliament. The earliest date the new proposal could be adopted would be 1 March 2013, but this may be subject to change. Updates will be announced as they become available.
In the meantime, the current regime of BSE testing for healthy slaughtered cattle will continue. The new date for the proposed ending of BSE testing for healthy slaughtered cattle will be announced in due course.
The duration of the consultation, from 21 November to 5 December, remains unchanged.
Summary
Defra, the Welsh Government and the Food Standards Agency invited your views on a proposal to stop BSE testing of healthy slaughtered cattle in England and Wales from 1 January 2013, in line with EU proposals. Defra and the Welsh Government sought advice from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Health Ministers before making any changes to BSE testing of cattle slaughtered for human consumption in England and Wales.