The Processed Animal Protein Order 1989

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order re-enacts the Diseases of Animals (Protein Processing) Order 1981 (“the 1981 Order”) with amendments. It continues to enable authorised officers to take for testing at a laboratory samples of processed animal protein from premises where it is produced (article 8).

The Order makes the following changes of substance by–

1.  requiring the registration of animal protein processors (article 5);

2.  imposing a duty on the Registered person to ensure the taking of samples from processed animal protein and its submission to a laboratory for testing for salmonella (article 6);

3.  imposing a duty on the Registered person to ensure (where he knows that a test on a sample has proved positive) that for a period of one month no processed animal protein produced on premises in respect of which his name is entered in the Register is (without further treatment and testing) removed from premises occupied by him or under his control and is not incorporated in a feeding stuff for livestock or poultry, unless the processed animal protein to be removed is taken from a separate storage facility or under the authority of a licence (article 7);

4.  prohibiting any tampering with samples (article 10); and

5.  requiring Registered persons to keep records of the results of tests on samples (article 11) and to give information to enable the tracing of contaminated feeding stuffs (article 12).

The provisions requiring the registration of animal protein processors shall come into force on 13th June 1989. Until that date the duties of a Registered person under the Order shall be the duties of the owner or person in charge of the premises which are used in the course of a business for processing animal protein (articles 1(2) and 3(2)).

Until 13th August 1989 samples taken under the Order are required to be tested at laboratories which have the necessary facilities and personnel for carrying out the tests in accordance with the Order and after that date the samples are required to be tested at laboratories authorised in writing by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for this purpose.