Scrapie Monitoring (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008

The Scrapie Monitored Flocks Scheme (SMFS) was introduced in Northern Ireland in August 1993 to facilitate sheep and goat owners who wished to maintain a breeding flock or herd for intra-Community trade purposes. Participation in the scheme is a pre-requisite for intra-Community trade, as set out in EU regulation 999/2001, including trade with the Republic of Ireland.

Since the launch of the SMFS in Northern Ireland it has been operated on a full cost recovery basis, with members required to pay an initial registration fee and an annual membership fee. Fees were suspended in 2004 and further legislation was required to re-introduce fees for the operating costs of the administration and operating costs of the scheme.

A new fees regulation is therefore needed so that Government is able to recover costs associated with the operation of the Scrapie Monitored Flock Scheme. The proposed new Regulations give the Department the powers to charge fees at an appropriate level on the basis of certain criteria. The fees will be published on the DARD website and will not appear on the face of the Regulations themselves. This will allow the fees to be revised in future without the need for a new Statutory rule and so it will be easier to update the fees in line with inflation and other increases in costs.

Replies to this consultation are welcome and should be sent to Karen Brown by 2 September 2008 at:-

karen.m.brown@dardni.gov.uk

or by post to:

Karen Brown
Animal Disease Control & Trade Policy
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Room 715, Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
BELFAST
BT4 3SB

Scrapie Monitoring (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008

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