WIREDGOV

The Board of the Food Standards Agency has yesterday agreed to the lifting of the last of the ‘Mark and Release’ monitoring controls on sheep introduced in 1986 as a result of the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

A review carried out by the FSA has assessed whether these protective measures are still required to maintain food safety. The conclusion of this work, undertaken through 2011, was that the current controls are no longer proportionate to the very low risk and removing the controls would not compromise consumer safety.

Following a 12-week consultation with key stakeholders including consumers, affected farmers, farming unions and trade bodies, the Board has agreed to the FSA issuing Consents, which will have the practical impact of lifting controls. This will permit all farms remaining under restriction to move sheep without the need for monitoring from 1 June.

The FSA will also recommend to Ministers in Westminster and the devolved governments, the revocation of the remaining Orders under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (known as FEPA Orders) that currently restrict the movement of sheep in designated areas of the UK. This will remove the legislation made redundant by the issuing of Consents.

Background

Out of the 9,800 UK holdings, and more than 4 million sheep originally placed under restriction following the accident in 1986, there are only 327 farms in North Wales and 8 farms in Cumbria, England, still remaining under some form of restriction. All 'Mark and Release' controls were lifted in Northern Ireland in 2000 and in Scotland in 2010.

The Board paper, which includes links to the consultation document, consultation responses and the science and evidence behind the story, can be found below.