Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) Eradication Scheme Consultation: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for information related to the recent BVD eradication scheme consultation, namely:

1. What criminal offences will be created under the proposed legislation?

2. When the offences will become law?

3. The current members of the BVD Advisory Group?

4. By what method were the members of the BVD Advisory Group informed about creation of the criminal offences?

Response

The answers to your questions are as follows:

1. It is not yet known what criminal offences will be created under the proposed legislation. The public consultation sought views on possible measures to progress Scotland’s BVD eradication scheme. The analysis is ongoing and involves discussion with the BVD Advisory Group and the Scottish Government’s legal team. When we are satisfied that any resulting proposals are proportionate, appropriate and legally competent we will begin drafting new legislation to amend the existing BVD (Scotland) Order 2019. Any criminal offences will be created during the drafting process.

2. The offences will become law when the amending regulation comes in to force, or at a later date if specified in the regulation. The earliest possible coming in to force date is 1 December 2024.

3. The current members of the BVD Advisory Group are in the following table. Thank you for prompting us to review the Scottish Government website.

4. The members of the BVD Advisory Group will be informed about creation of the criminal offences when the legal drafting is complete.

Current representatives	Organisation/industry group
Charlie Adam	Beef Farmer
Pauline Anderson	Highland Council
Helen Carty	SAC Veterinary Services
David Campion	Priory Veterinary Centre, Whithorn
Andrew Connon	National Farmers’ Union of Scotland
Jenni Diffin	Animal and Plant Health Agency
Susan Duthie	Biobest Laboratories Ltd
Fiona Eddy	Scottish Government
Josie Forth	ScotEID
Bruce Mackie	Dairy Farmer
Bruce McConachie	Quality Meat Scotland
Penny Middleton	National Farmers’ Union of Scotland
Sarah Miller	Quality Meat Scotland
Ian Murdoch	Scottish Government
Peter Nettleton	Moredun Research Institute
Jenny Purcell	Scottish Government
John Ritchie	National Farmers’ Union of Scotland
George Russell	Moredun Research Institute
Neil Wilson	Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers Scotland

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you requested because the policy making process that may result in new criminal offences is not yet complete.

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.