Bovine TB outbreak epidemiology reports and correspondence: EIR release

Information requested

1. The epidemiology reports for an outbreak of bovine TB in Aberdeenshire in 2015, 2016 and 2017. 
2. All correspondence, both internal and external, regarding the identification and transfer of holding of the animals with herd mark UK520538. 
3. The three CPH numbers are 66/028/0081, 66/035/0032 and 66/079/7012Any information held regarding the release of letters addressed to yourself and your brothers to third parties.
   You requested further information in your letter of 02 April 2020 received in response to our request for clarification:-
4. As much information as we can provide about any investigations in the area at the time.
5. Information on the process of re-registration and identification of the cattle, which appears to have been a difficulty.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.  Some of the information is not available at this time, as it is held in local Rural Payment Inspection Division (RPID) Area Offices, which are not currently accessible due to COVID-19 restrictions.  This information will be sent to you as soon as possible.
The answer to your questions are:

1.  The epidemiology reports for an outbreak of bovine TB in Aberdeenshire in 2015, 2016 and 2017. 
Whilst our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have any epidemiology reports for an outbreak of bovine TB in Aberdeenshire in 2015, 2016 and 2017.  
Therefore, we are refusing your request under the exception at regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs.  The reasons why that exception applies are explained in the Annex to this letter.  However, you may wish to contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency at:
ATI Enquiries Manager, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, United Kingdom

2.  All correspondence, both internal and external, regarding the identification and transfer of holding of the animals with herd mark UK520538.  The three CPH numbers are 66/028/0081, 66/035/0032 and 66/079/7012.
Whilst our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exceptions at regulation 10(4)(e) and 10(5)(b) of the EIRs apply to that information.  The reasons why these exceptions apply are explained in the Annex to this letter.
 

3.  Any information held regarding the release of letters addressed to yourself and your brothers to third parties. 
Whilst our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exceptions under regulation 10(4)(e) and 10(5)(b) of the EIRs apply to that information.  The reasons why these exceptions apply are explained in the Annex to this letter.

4.  As much information as we can provide about any investigation the area at the time. 

5.  Information on the process of re-registration and identification of the cattle, which appears to have been a difficulty.  
Information relating to the process of re-registration and identification of cattle is not held by Scottish Government.  This information is held by the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) who operate the Cattle Tracing System (CTS) on behalf of Ministers in Scotland, England and Wales, and deal with the Identification, Registration and Movement of cattle to ensure disease prevention, control, eradication and the protection of public health.  You can contact them at: British Cattle Movement Service, Curwen Road, Workington, Cumbria CA14 2DD.

Due to the size of the files we are unable to upload the documents referred to above.
If you wish to consider, please contact us at the address below and we will be happy to provide. 

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.