The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008

PART II CONTENTS OF A RMOP

Animal identification and separation

1.—(1) The RMOP (as defined in paragraph 5(1) of Part I) must describe the system that—

(a) enables bovine animals born or reared in the United Kingdom before 1st August 1996 or imported into the United Kingdom before 1st August 1996 to be identified and ensures that they are not slaughtered for human consumption;

(b) enables bovine animals over 48 months of age but born on or after 1st August 1996 to be identified and ensures that they are sampled in accordance with this Schedule;

(c) enables bovine animals over 48 months of age imported from a country listed in the Annex to Commission Decision 2008/908/EC to be identified and ensures that they are sampled in accordance with this Schedule;

(d) enables bovine animals over 30 months of age imported from a country other than a country listed in the Annex to Commission Decision 2008/908/EC to be identified and ensures that they are sampled in accordance with this Schedule;

(e) enables bovine animals specified in point 2(1) of Part I of Chapter A of Annex III of the Community TSE Regulation, as read with Commission Decision 2008/908/EC, to be identified and ensures that they are sampled in accordance with this Schedule;

(f) enables all bovine animals over 30 months of age from which any part of the vertebral column that is specified risk material must be removed in accordance with Schedule 7 to be identified and ensures removal in accordance with paragraph 8 of this Part.

(2) It must also describe the system that ensures that the animals described in sub-paragraphs (b) to (e) of paragraph 1(1) which require sampling for BSE testing are—

(a) batched together before slaughter; and

(b) slaughtered in their batches separately; and

(c) batched separately and slaughtered separately from animals described in sub-paragraph (1)(f).

Brain stem sampling

2.—(1) Where brain stem sampling is required the RMOP must show that there are—

(a) sufficient staff trained and competent in the taking, labelling, packaging and dispatch of brain stem samples;

(b) hygienic facilities for sampling; and

(c) sampling procedures that do not jeopardise the hygienic production of meat intended for human consumption.

(2) It must describe how health and safety guidelines designed to minimise the risk of exposure of staff to TSE during brain stem sampling and packaging will be complied with.

Correlation of sample to carcase and all other parts of the body

3.  Where brain stem sampling is required the RMOP must describe the system linking the brain stem sample of each bovine animal to the carcase of that animal and all parts of the body of that animal (including the blood and the hide).

Retention of carcases

4.  Where brain stem sampling is required the RMOP must describe—

(a) the system that ensures that the chronological order in which the animals were slaughtered can be determined;

(b) the system that ensures that all carcases retained in accordance with paragraph 6(1) of Part I are retained in slaughter order or as laid down in the RMOP either in a sealed or locked chiller or on a sealed or locked rail in an unsealed chiller pending the receipt of the test result; and

(c) how the occupier will ensure that there is suitable and sufficient chiller space for retaining carcases for the purposes of this Schedule.

Retention of parts of the body

5.  Where brain stem sampling is required the RMOP must describe the system that ensures that all parts of the body (including the blood and the hide) are retained in accordance with paragraph 6(1) of Part I of this Schedule.

Disposal before receipt of the result

6.  Where brain stem sampling is required the RMOP must describe the disposal route for all carcases and all parts of the body (including the blood and the hide) retained pending receipt of a test result but disposed of before the test result is received.

Other measures following brain stem sampling

7.  Where brain stem sampling is required the RMOP must describe the systems in place that ensure that—

(a) brain stem samples are packaged in accordance with packaging instructions P650 of the European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (version applicable as from 1st January 2007)(1) and delivered in a testable condition to an approved testing laboratory;

(b) test results are received, either by fax or by other electronic means; and

(c) all carcases or parts of carcases required to be disposed of in accordance with point 6(4) or 6(5) of Part I of Chapter A of Annex III of the Community TSE Regulation or under paragraphs 6(2) and 6(3) of Part I of this Schedule are identified and disposed of accordingly.

Removal of vertebral column

8.  In all cases the RMOP must describe the system that, in the case of any bovine animal over 30 months of age, ensures that —

(a) those parts of the vertebral column that are specified risk material are not removed in the slaughterhouse; and

(b) the meat containing that specified risk material is consigned to a cutting plant authorised under paragraph 12(1)(a) of Schedule 7 to remove it; and

(c) where brain stem sampling is required a negative result has been received prior to consignment to a cutting plant authorised under paragraph 12(1)(a) of Schedule 7 to remove it.

(1)

ISBN 92-1-139112-1