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

EU Commission Publishes CAP Health Check Provisions

The EU Commission's CAP Health Check proposals have been published, including removal of set-aside as an instrument of supply control, restructuring of cereals intervention, EU modulation, de-minimis rule, environmental enhancement and protection and mutual funding for animal and plant diseases.

Further information: G08-042

GM - EU Debate Offers Glimmer of Light

Following a recent EU College of Commissioners debate the Commission has instructed its services to "find a technical solution to the issue of low level presence of non-approved GMOs in feed and foodstuffs as soon as possible and at the latest before the summer".

Further information: G08-038

Feed Incident - Update on Non-Ruminant Samples

Defra's Animal Health Agency has made it clear that it is unlikely feed samples collected from non-ruminant mills will be tested in the wake of the animal material in wheat feed incident.

Further information: G08-037

Revocation of Supplier's UFAS Certificate - Guidance for UFAS Participants

A non-conformance will be raised at a UFAS assessment if the inspection discovers deliveries from a currently revoked supplier, but there are alleviating circumstances regarding prior contracts and where evidence exists that the UFAS Participant has taken comprehensive steps to check the assurance status of the supply chain and producers.

Further information: G08-039

New Grain Passport for 2008

A revised grain passport has been produced for harvest 2008 bearing only one change - removal of the specific list of higher risk mycotoxin counties (which applied to harvest 2007 crop only).

Further information: G08-040

CHiP Workshop .....

..... will be held on 3rd June at Kenilworth to facilitate the introduction of the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations for the premix and mineral feed industry.

Further information: G08-041

TSE Regulations to be Amended

A proposal to feed fishmeal to young ruminants has been agreed by the EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health but is subject to regulatory procedure before it can be adopted.

Further information: F08-034

Commission Decision Introduces Guar Gum Conditions

EC Commission Directive 2008 / 352 / EC imposes special conditions on guar gum originating in or consigned from India; the Decision has been implemented separately in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Further information: F08-030

Nicarbazin Residues in Chicken .....

..... new FSA report.

Further information: F08-033

ACAF Open Meeting, Belfast, 3rd June

Matters to be discussed at the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs meeting in Belfast on 3rd June include the Lipgene Project, FEEDAP, Marketing and Use of Feed and GM.

Further information: F08-029

Nottingham Feed Conference .....

..... University of Nottingham, 2nd - 4th September 2008.

Further information: F08-031

MAVIS is Available!

The April edition of the Marketing Authorisation Veterinary Information Service has been published.

Further information: F08-032