Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

The complainant has requested information about responses to a public consultation on proposals to evolve badger control policy and introduce additional cattle measures. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (‘Defra’) relied on regulation 12(4)(b) of the EIR to refuse to provide the requested information. The Commissioner’s decision is that Defra was entitled to rely on regulation 12(4)(b) of the EIR to refuse the request. He also finds that Defra complied with its obligations under regulation 9 of the EIR to offer advice and assistance. The Commissioner does not require further steps.