The European Commission (EC) published in the Official Journal of the European union (OJ), notices from various member states including information of the Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty Cases where the Commission raised no objections. The TSE testing of sheep and goats fallen stock aid scheme will distribute aid in the form of subsidised service to all regions of the United Kingdom to tackle animal diseases. The overal budget stands at GBP 22,4 million (approximately 32,9 million EUR).

This is one of various aid schems to go to the United Kingdom's agricultural sector for farming of sheep, goats, horses, asses, mules and hinnies, in this case concerned with animal diseases. The scheme will extend forward from 1st March 2008 until 1st March 2014, disposing of an annual budget of 3,200,000 Pounds or approximately 4,7 million EUR.

The legal basis of the scheme is Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 laying down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and is run by Defra (department for environment, food and rural affairs) based in Westminster, London.

Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) is a UK Government Department, with the overarching challenge for Defra is to enable everyone to live within our environmental means. Its mission is to enable everyone to live within our environmental means. This is most clearly exemplified by the need to tackle climate change internationally and through domestic action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to secure a healthy, resilient, productive and diverse natural environment.