The Sheep and Goats Spongiform Encephalopathy Regulations 1998

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, which extend to Great Britain, give effect in part to articles 3(1) and 4(1) of Commission Decision 98/272/EEC (OJ No. L122, 24.4.98, p.59) on epidemio-surveillance for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in sheep and goats.

Regulation 3 provides for the investigation of any transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in sheep and goats, the examination and testing of sheep and goats, and the taking of samples from them, for transmissible spongiform encephalopathy. It also provides for the marking of their carcases for this purpose. Regulation 3 requires that people in charge or in possession of sheep and goats and carcases of sheep and goats co-operate with these investigations. It also provides rights of entry to premises for veterinary inspectors and officers of the appropriate Minister (defined in regulation 2).

Regulation 4 makes provision for offences of obstruction and regulation 5 for other offences and penalties. Regulation 6 makes provision for offences by bodies corporate and regulation 7 provides that the Regulations are executed and enforced by the appropriate Minister.

A Regulatory Appraisal for these Regulations has been prepared and placed in the library of each House Of Parliament. Copies can be obtained from Animal Health (BSE) Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Government Buildings, Hook Rise South, Tolworth, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 7NF.