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Issuing of scientific authorisations

Once the local inspector and Defra are satisfied that the confinement facility is suitable for work with specified material, a scientific authorisation will be drafted by APHA CIT and sent to the applicant. This details the requirements of the work including any special precautions.

These are precautions which are not detailed by the normal scope of the scientific authorisation and provide a means of tailoring scientific authorisations to the quarantine station/confinement facility and addressing any specific concerns about the biosecurity surrounding the work.

Layout of a scientific authorisation

All scientific authorisations strictly outline how the specified material should be handled from the time of arrival in England or Wales to the time of destruction and disposal of the material, and will include details such as a reference number, the person(s) responsible, the approved confinement facilities, and the acceptable disposal methods.

Scientific authorisation body

The body includes the unique reference number of the scientific authorisation, date of issue, name/s of the authorisation holder(s) and details (including the address) of the approved quarantine station/confinement facility.  It also includes generic requirements (such as waste disposal) specific to the type of authorisation (e.g. invertebrate). 

Annex 1

Details the specified material or pest(s) which can be obtained, its origin and the agreed work which can be carried out under the terms of the scientific authorisation. Annex 1 will also have the list of special precautions which are considered to be necessary to maintain containment of the specified material or pest(s) during the work.

Annex 2

Annex 2 lists the personnel and qualifications who will be carrying out work with the specified material.

Letter of Authority

This is the document which facilitates the import of material into England and Wales.  Further details can be found in the section on Import, movement and export of authorised material.

 

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