Correspondence regarding consideration of bans on XL Bully dogs from September 2023: FOI release

Information requested

Details of all contact between the Scottish and UK Governments including notes and minutes of meetings and all correspondence regarding consideration of bans on XL Bully dogs from 15 September 2023 onwards.

Response

Exemptions apply in relation to some of the information requested. Exemptions have been applied under section 28(1) (relations within the UK), section 29(1)(a) (formulation or development of Scottish Government policy) and section 30(c) (prejudice effective conduct of public affairs).

These exemptions are subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemptions.

We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemptions. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of the ongoing high profile of policy in relation to XL Bully dogs. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in not substantially inhibiting engagement between the Scottish Government and UK Government, the free and frank provision of advice by officials to Ministers and otherwise prejudicing effective conduct of public affairs in an area of policy that is high profile and currently active.

Following application of these exemptions, the information we are able to provide is included in the annex.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202400392616 - Information Released - Annex

File type

2 page PDF

File size

96.5 kB

FOI 202400392616 - Information Released - Letter to DEFRA

File type

2 page PDF

File size

115.2 kB