The Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Order 1996

Cleansing and disinfection

14.—(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 within the meaning of the Fertilisers (Mammalian Meat and Bone Meal) Regulations 1996(1).

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4) below, 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 cleaning 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) above 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) above by virtue of any arrangement made by him, to show that he took all reasonable steps to ensure that the premises, equipment or vehicle in question were thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in accordance with that paragraph.

(5) An inspector may serve on the occupier of any premises or on the owner or operator of any vehicle or equipment on or in which there is, or has within 56 days 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 or 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) above 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 in default by the appropriate Minister or the local authority, as the case may be.

(1)

S.I. 1996/1125.