PART 3Authorisation of blood banks
Authorisation of blood banks
21.—(1) The Secretary of State may authorise blood banks for the collection, storage and supply of blood for the treatment of non-food-producing animals.
(2) In order to be authorised a blood bank must be under the supervision of—
(a)a veterinary surgeon named in the authorisation; or
(b)a person named in the authorisation who the Secretary of State is satisfied is suitably qualified to operate the blood bank.
(3) Before he authorises a blood bank, the Secretary of State must be satisfied—
(a)that the welfare of animals used in the collection of blood will be respected; and
(b)that the production process will produce a consistent, safe product.
(4) The procedure for the suspension or revocation of the authorisation is the same as for the holder of a manufacturing authorisation.
(5) Blood may only be collected under the responsibility of a veterinary surgeon.
(6) It is an offence to operate a blood bank for treatment of animals other than in accordance with such an authorisation.
Supply and administration of blood from a blood bank
22.—(1) The blood may only be supplied to a veterinary surgeon.
(2) It may only be administered by a veterinary surgeon or under his responsibility.
(3) It may only be administered to non-food-producing animals.
(4) It is an offence to fail to comply with this paragraph.
Labelling
23.—(1) The operator of a blood bank must ensure that every container used for the blood is labelled with—
(a)the identification of the donor animal;
(b)the date of collection;
(c)the authorisation number of the blood bank;
(d)any necessary warnings;
(e)the expiry date.
(2) It is an offence to fail to comply with this paragraph.
Records
24.—(1) The operator of a blood bank must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, record—
(a)the date of collection;
(b)the identification of the donor animal;
(c)the veterinary surgeon who collected it;
(d)the expiry date;
(e)the date the blood was used or, if it was supplied to another veterinary surgeon, the name of that veterinary surgeon and the date it was supplied.
(2) He must keep the records for at least five years.
(3) It is an offence to fail to comply with this paragraph.
Inspection of blood banks
25. The Secretary of State must inspect a blood bank every two years.