The Specified Risk Material (Amendment) Regulations 1998

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1.  These Regulations amend the Specified Risk Material Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997/2965, as already amended by S.I. 1997/3062). Those Regulations extend to Great Britain only.

2.  The amendments made by these Regulations have effect to allow the export to certain premises in France of carcases of older sheep containing spinal cord which is “specified risk material”. “Specified risk material” is defined in regulation 2(1) of S.I. 1997/2965.

3.  The amendments work by disapplying regulation 7(1) of S.I. 1997/2965 (prohibition on selling for human consumption specified risk material or food containing same) and part of regulation 10(2) of that instrument (requirement for slaughterhouse operator to remove specified risk material from carcases of sheep slaughtered there) in the case of those sheep carcases containing spinal cord which is specified risk material which are intended for export whole direct to listed premises. Definitions of “intended for export whole” (together with a related expression) and “listed premises” are inserted into regulation 2 of S.I. 1997/2965 (interpretation).

4.  A new regulation (regulation 16A) is inserted into S.I. 1997/2965, requiring the marking of those sheep carcases containing spinal cord which is specified risk material which are intended for export whole direct to listed premises.

5.  Amendments are also made to regulation 17 of S.I. 1997/2965 (transportation of unmarked carcases of sheep and goats) to ensure that the sheep carcases concerned are moved in sealed vehicles and are accompanied by appropriate documentation during transport.

6.  Regulation 19 of S.I. 1997/2965 (possession of unmarked carcases of sheep and goats) is also amended—

(a) to ensure, first, that a person transporting the sheep carcases concerned (those containing spinal cord which is specified risk material and which are intended for export whole direct to listed premises) has in possession further documentation and, second, that the carcases are appropriately marked; and

(b) to enable the carcases concerned to be brought within the scope of section 9 of the Food Safety Act 1990 (1990 c. 16) (inspection and seizure of suspected food).

7.  A further new regulation (regulation 19A) is inserted into S.I. 1997/2965, imposing requirements with respect to the arrival of the carcases concerned at the listed premises to which it was intended they should be transported.

8.  A regulatory appraisal for these Regulations has been prepared. A copy of it has been placed in the library of each House of Parliament. Further copies of it can be obtained from the Animal Health (BSE and International Trade) Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at Government Buildings, Hook Rise South, Tolworth, Surrey KT6 7NF.