The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2019

Amendment of the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (Scotland) Regulations 2010

9.—(1) Schedule 7 (specified risk material, mechanically separated meat and slaughtering techniques) is amended as follows.

(2) For paragraph 2 (training) substitute—

“Training

2.   The occupier of any slaughterhouse or cutting plant where specified risk material is removed must ensure that staff receive any training necessary to comply with the occupier’s duties under this schedule; and failure to do so is an offence.”.

(3) In paragraph 6 (head meat harvesting), after “point 8.1” insert “or point 9”.

(4) In paragraph 8 (bovine animals in a slaughterhouse)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (1)—

(i) after “specified risk material”, in the first place where it occurs, insert “from the carcase”,

(ii) omit “and specified risk material contained in or attached to offal”,

(b) in sub-paragraph (2)(b) at the end insert “from the remaining offal”,

(c) omit sub-paragraph (4),

(d) for sub-paragraph (5) substitute—

“(5) In accordance with point 11.3(a) of Annex V to the EU TSE Regulation, when the removal of the vertebral column is required, carcases or wholesale cuts of carcases of bovine animals containing vertebral column must be identified by a clearly visible red stripe on the label referred to in that point.”.

(5) In paragraph 9 (sheep and goats in a slaughterhouse)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (1)—

(i) after “specified risk material”, in the first place where it occurs, insert “from the carcase”,

(ii) omit “and specified risk material contained in or attached to offal”,

(b) in sub-paragraph (2)(b), at the end insert “from the remaining offal”.

(6) In paragraph 11 (young lamb and goat stamps), in paragraph (2)(a), for “MHS” substitute “FSS”.

(7) In paragraph 12 (removal of spinal cord material from sheep and goats)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (a) omit “or”,

(b) after sub-paragraph (b) insert—

“or

(c) an alternative method authorised in accordance with paragraph 12A.

Authorisation of alternative method of removal

12A.   Food Standards Scotland may authorise an alternative method of removal at specified premises provided that the occupier of those premises demonstrates to the satisfaction of Food Standards Scotland that—

(a) the method is appropriate to achieve the objectives of the EU TSE Regulation;

(b) the equipment used to carry out the removal is fully effective; and

(c) the persons using the equipment are properly trained and skilled in its use and maintenance.”.

(8) In paragraph 13 (authorisation of cutting plants by Food Standards Scotland), for sub-paragraph (1), substitute—

“(1) If Food Standards Scotland is satisfied that the provisions of Annex 5 to the EU TSE Regulation and this schedule will be complied with, Food Standards Scotland may authorise a cutting plant to:

(a) remove those parts of the vertebral column of bovine animals that are specified risk material;

(b) remove the spinal cord from sheep and goats aged over 12 months at slaughter, or that have a permanent incisor erupted through the gum; and

(c) harvest the head meat from bovine animals in accordance with point 9 of  Annex V.”.

(9) In paragraph 16 (staining and disposal of specified risk material), for sub-paragraph (2)(a), substitute—

“(a) indelible staining must involve treating the material (whether by immersion, spraying or other application) with a blue colouring agent using a solution of such a strength that the staining is clearly visible and remains visible after the specified risk material has been chilled or frozen; and”.

(10) After paragraph 18 (prohibition on the sale, supply or possession for sale or supply of specified risk material for human consumption) insert—

“Determination of the age of sheep or goats

19.   For the purposes of this schedule, “aged over 12 months” means that the age of the animal has been determined to be over 12 months in accordance with a method of ageing approved by the Scottish Ministers.”.