Tuberculosis (Scotland) Amendment Order 2022: business and regulatory impact assessment

Summary costs and benefits

Option 1 - Do Nothing (Status Quo)

Total benefit per annum (economic, environmental, social)

The current system generally works well and livestock keepers are familiar with the existing requirements for TB testing and control.

To do nothing would not be in the best interest of the cattle industry as that could potentially put Scotland's OTF status at risk

Total cost per annum (economic, environmental, social / policy and administrative)

No additional costs or savings are anticipated with this option.

Compensation would continue to be paid at full market value for all cattle that become diseased even as a result of poor farming practices, such as presenting unclean cattle at slaughter or non-compliance in relation to areas such as isolation.

Option 2 - Introduce changes to TB controls - amend the Tuberculosis (Scotland) Order 2007

Total benefit per annum (economic, environmental, social)

This option provides the opportunity to:

• Amend the provisions for the application of diagnostic tests, to include a requirement for the prior written permission of Scottish Ministers where non-statutory and private samples are taken with the intention of applying a diagnostic test for TB.

Total cost per annum (economic, environmental, social / policy and administrative)

This change will not result in any additional costs to SG. It is difficult to accurately assess what the total savings would be.

It is expected there will be some minimal additional costs to the third parties who are undertaking the sampling, as those which are approved to sample and test will need to report their findings to the Scottish Government. This will result in a cost to the company undertaking the research, as they will need to provide time resource through the operational cost of putting in place reporting requirements.

As our operational delivery partners, APHA have carried out a Change Management Assessment for all proposals and do not anticipate any significant costs to implement any of the proposed changes.

Declaration and publication

I have read the Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment and I am satisfied that (a) it represents a fair and reasonable view of the expected costs, benefits and impact of the policy, and (b) that the benefits justify the costs. I am satisfied that business impact has been assessed with the support of businesses in Scotland.

Signed: Mairi Gougeon

Date: 10 November 2022

Minister's name: Mairi Gougeon

Minister's title: Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands

Scottish Government Contact point