(This note is not part of the Order)
This order controls specified bovine offal, being material which may contain the agent containing bovine spongiform encephalopathy. It replaces and extends the current provisions relating to specified bovine offal in the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Order 1991 (S.I. 1995/539), the Bovine Offal (Prohibition) Regulations 1989 (S.I. 1990/2061) and the Bovine Offal (Prohibition) (Scotland) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/112 (S.10)).
The Order controls the sale and use of specified bovine offal for human and animal consumption (articles 4 and 5). It regulates the initial treatment of specified bovine offal in a slaughterhouse or elsewhere (articles 6 and 7) and the rendering of whole carcases (article 8), and it provides for exceptions from the staining requirement (article 9). It prohibits the removal of the brain, eyes and spinal cord from a bovine animal, subject to certain exceptions (articles 10 and 11). It regulates the importation of specified bovine offal from Northern Ireland (article 12).
The Order regulates the consignment of bovine offal once it has been removed from the carcase (article 13) and controls head boning plants, collection centres, incinerators, rendering plants and premises not connected with food and feedingstuffs by requiring these to be approved and by regulating the way in which they deal with specified bovine offal (articles 14 to 18 and the Schedule). It also regulates veterinary and laboratory premises (article 19).
The Order contains provisions on giving directions, export, sampling, transport and storage (articles 20 to 24). It is enforced by the appropriate Minister in relation to premises licensed under the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 and otherwise by the local authority (article 25).
The Order revokes and amends various provisions of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Order 1991.
A Compliance Cost Assessment for this Order has been prepared and placed in the library of each House of Parliament. Copies can be obtained from the Animal Health (Disease Control) Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Government Buildings, Hook Rise South, Tolworth, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 7NF.