Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002

Cleansing and disinfection

27.—(1) Any person who produces mammalian meat and bone meal or any MBM product shall ensure the thorough cleansing and disinfection of any premises or equipment used for such production before they are used for any other purpose except the production of a fertiliser that is not for use on agricultural land.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), any person who stores or transports mammalian meat and bone meal or an MBM product, or who makes any arrangement for such storage or transport, shall ensure the thorough cleansing and disinfection of any premises, vehicle or equipment used for such storage or transport as soon as possible after the storage or transport ceases and in any event before they are used for any other purpose.

(3) It shall be a defence for any person charged with an offence under paragraph (2) to prove that at all material times the mammalian meat and bone meal or MBM product (as the case may be) was securely packaged and that no spillage or leakage took place.

(4) It shall be a defence for any person charged with an offence under paragraph (2) by virtue of any arrangement made by him to prove that he took all reasonable steps to ensure that the premises, equipment or vehicle used for storage or transport of mammalian meat and bone meal or MBM product were thoroughly cleansed and disinfected in accordance with that paragraph.

(5) An inspector may serve on the occupier of any premises or on the operator of any vehicle or equipment on or in which there is, or has been –

(a) any mammalian meat and bone meal; or

(b) any MBM product

a notice requiring him to cleanse and disinfect, at his own expense and in such a manner and within such period as may be specified in the notice, all or any part of the premises, vehicle or any equipment or any other thing used in connection with any such mammalian meat and bone meal or MBM product.

(6) If any person on whom a notice is served under paragraph (5) fails to comply with the requirements of the notice, an inspector may, without prejudice to any proceedings arising out of such default, carry out or cause to be carried out the requirements of the notice, and the amount of any expenses reasonably incurred by the inspector in doing so shall be recoverable from the person on whom the notice was served.