Aug 4 2006
A public consultation on new and amended powers to investigate infections which can spread between animals and humans has been launched by Defra.
The Zoonoses (Monitoring) Regulations 2006, implementing an EU Directive on the monitoring of zoonoses and zoonotic agents, would strengthen current monitoring systems designed to identify new and existing strains of zoonoses (diseases which spread from animals and humans) and enable specific surveys to be conducted.
The regulations would grant the power to enter any premises where zoonotic infection is suspected and to take samples to help trace its spread.
The consultation on the draft regulations will run until October 27th. It is expected that they will become law late in 2006.
The aim of the legislation is to recognise England's specific disease control needs and to implement EU law in a way which best fits with domestic law and the resources that Defra has invested in the protection of human health through enhanced monitoring and surveillance.
It especially invites comments on the rationale for Government intervention, the application and scope of the regulations, how to implement them, the potential cost to food producers and other businesses and the cost to Government.
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