The Bovine Semen (England) Regulations 2007

PART 3 Measures applicable to processing facilities at an EC collection centre

1.  The centre veterinarian must ensure that—

(a) semen processed at the centre is either—

(i) semen collected at an EC collection centre;

(ii) semen collected at a collection centre approved under the Directive in another part of the United Kingdom; or

(iii) semen which is from bovine animals which have been subjected to the tests specified in Schedule 2, paragraph 2(1);

(b) any semen referred to at sub-paragraph (a)(iii) is—

(i) processed using separate equipment (which must be cleaned and sterilised after use) or at a different time from the processing of semen intended for intra-Community trade; and

(ii) identified by a marking different from that required under sub-paragraph (f);

(c) semen collected, processed and quarantined at EC collection centres and intended for intra-Community trade does not come into contact with and is not stored in the same room as any other semen processed at the centre;

(d) products of animal origin used in the processing of semen, including additives and diluents, are obtained from sources which present no animal health risk or are so treated prior to use that such risk is removed;

(e) the cryogenic agent used has not been previously used for other products of animal origin;

(f) each individual dose of semen is sealed, numbered and clearly marked so that the following information can be readily established—

(i) the date the semen was collected;

(ii) the identity of the donor bovine animal under the cattle identification regulations;

(iii) the breed of the donor bovine animal; and

(iv) the licence number of the centre where the semen was collected (if applicable); and

(g) the format used for identifying semen is notified to the Secretary of State.

2.  The centre veterinarian may not admit semen not collected at the centre for processing unless it is accompanied by—

(a) the documents specified in regulation 14(4); and

(b) if the semen comes from unlicensed premises, the documents specified in Schedule 7, paragraph 1(c).

3.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the centre veterinarian must ensure that the antibiotics streptomycin, penicillin, lincomycin and spectinomycin are added to produce the following concentrations in the final diluted semen—

(a) not less than 500 μg streptomycin per ml final dilution,

(b) not less than 500 International Units penicillin per ml final dilution,

(c) not less than 150 μg lincomycin per ml final dilution, and

(d) not less than 300 μg spectinomycin per ml final dilution.

(2) An alternative combination of antibiotics which has an equivalent effect against campylobacters, leptospires and mycoplasmas may be used.

4.  The centre veterinarian must ensure that, immediately after the addition of antibiotics, the semen is kept at a temperature of at least 5ºC for a period of not less than 45 minutes.