Director's Briefing Notes are published every two weeks and are a summary of the Member Briefings.

Defra to carry out Feed Data Study

A study is being undertaken by Defra involving a detailed evaluation of current animal feed production systems throughout the UK.

Further information: F08-016

'Bt63' - Emergency Measures Proposed

The Food Standards Agency is consulting on a proposal to prevent the entry into the EC of rice and rice products from China unless there is an analytical report demonstrating they are free from the genetically modified organism Bt 63.

Further information: F08-017

Fishmeal Update

Two proposals - feeding fishmeal to young ruminants and the introduction of a tolerance principle for trace fishmeal - were discussed recently by the TSE Working Group in Brussels.

Further information: F08-018

Reducing the Risk of Milk Fever

The Food Standards Agency has launched a public consultation on the use of feedingstuffs in reducing the risk of milk fever.

Further information: F08-019

Haulage Exclusion List - Bitumen

End users have expressed concern that some hauliers are inadvertently carrying aggregates or stone containing bitumen, a TASCC exclusion list material.

Further information: G08-022

Review of Fertiliser Recommendations

Reports from the Expert Groups established to revise the fertiliser recommendations guide (RB209 ) have been issued.

Further information: G08-019

Harvest Samples - Final Results

The final results from the freshly harvested samples submitted by AIC Feed Member Companies reveals in some cases low levels of desiccants and heavy metals.

Further information: G08-017

Defra announces 'Diffuse Pollution' Policy

Defra has announced a 'Diffuse Pollution' policy package which covers phosphorus and sediment but not agrochemicals; AIC continues to oppose measures not based on a full cost-benefit analysis.

Further information: G08-018

Corporate Manslaughter

New legislation abolishes the common law offence of manslaughter by gross negligence for companies and provides in its place a new statutory offence of Corporate Manslaughter.

Further information: G08-021

Employment Law: Sex Discrimination

Amendments have been made to the Sex Discrimination Act, bringing it in line with the Equal Treatment Directive.

Further information: G08-020