Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

The complainant requested specific information considered or generated by the Tuberculosis Eradication Group who were to advise the Secretary of State on bovine tuberculosis and its eradication in England. The public authority ultimately withheld only a minority of the requested information and did so by relying on section 35(1)(a) and 41of the Act. The Commissioner first determined that, after considering the withheld information, it was not environmental information. The Commissioner next determined that the exemption provided by section 35(1)(a) was engaged and the public interest favoured the maintenance of the exemption.