12.—(1) It is an offence to remove the spinal cord or any part of it from an ovine or caprine animal aged over 12 months at slaughter or that had one or more permanent incisors erupted through the gum (other than for the purposes of veterinary or scientific examination) except by—
(a)longitudinally splitting the whole vertebral column;
(b)removing a longitudinal section of the whole vertebral column including the spinal cord; or
(c)an alternative method approved in accordance with sub-paragraph (2).
(2) The Food Standards Agency may approve an alternative method of removal at a specified holding provided that the occupier of the holding demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Agency 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.