Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
- Date 7 September 2017
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) EIR 11: Upheld, EIR 12.4.b: Not upheld, EIR 9: Not upheld
The complainant has requested information associated with the licensed culling of badgers. Defra has refused to comply with the request on the grounds that it is manifestly unreasonable in line with regulation 12(4)(b) of the EIR, by virtue of the cost of complying with it. The Commissioner’s decision is that the request is manifestly unreasonable in line with regulation 12(4)(b). She has also decided that Defra complied with its obligation under regulation 9(1)(advice and assistance) and breached regulation 11(4) as it did not provide an internal review within 40 working days. The Commissioner does not require the public authority to take any steps to ensure compliance with the legislation.