EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, which apply in Northern Ireland, revoke and remake with amendments the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. No.406).

These Regulations enforce Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (OJ No L 147, 31.5.2001, p 1) (“the EU TSE Regulation”).

The provisions in Part II identify the TSE controls that are subject to enforcement under these Regulations and introduce Schedules 2 to 8.

Part III deals with administration and enforcement.

Schedule 1 sets out the TSE requirements.

Schedule 2 sets out the requirements for monitoring for TSE and the approval of laboratories and provides for compensation.

Schedule 3 provides for TSE controls and compensation for bovine animals (cattle).

Schedule 4 provides for TSE controls and compensation for ovine and caprine animals.

Schedule 5 provides for TSE controls and compensation for animals that are not bovine, ovine, or caprine animals.

Schedule 6 provides for restrictions to be placed on suspect feedingstuffs and for the slaughter of animals that have had access to unlawful feedingstuffs.

Schedule 7 sets out the controls for dealing with specified risk material and mechanically recovered meat. Slaughtering techniques are specified in the Schedule. The Food Standards Agency are appointed as the competent authority for granting authorisations and carrying out Annex 5 duties provided for in the EU TSE Regulation.

Schedule 8 deals with the export of live bovine animals and products derived from them to other member States and to third countries.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no significant impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.