Feeding Stuffs (Sampling and Analysis) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999

Table Extracts from the Sampling Directive

Section A Text referred to in Paragraph 9(a)

(1) Where the number obtained is a fraction, it should be rounded up to the next whole number.
(2) For packages or containers whose contents do not exceed 1 kg or one litre and for blocks or licks weighing not more than 1 kg each, an incremental sample shall be the contents of one original package or container, one block or lick.
(3) The methods provided for in 5.A are for use in control of aflatoxins, rye ergot, caster-oil plant and crotalaria in complete and supplementary feeding stuffs.
5.A.	In relation to the control of substances or products uniformly distributed throughout the feeding stuff
5.A.1	Sampled portion
	The size of the sampled portion must be such that each of its constituent parts can be sampled.
5.A.2	Incremental samples
5.A.2.1	Loose feeding stuffs:	Minimum number of incremental samples:
5.A.2.1.1.	Sampled portions not exceeding 2.5 metric tons	Seven
5.A.2.1.2.	Sampled portions exceeding 2.5 metric tons	√ 20 times the number of metric tons making up the sampled portion(1), up to a maximum of 40 incremental samples
5.A.2.2.	Packaged feeding stuffs:	Minimum number of packages to be sampled(2)
5.A.2.2.1	Packages of more than one kg:
5.A.2.2.1.1.	Sampled portions of one to four packages	All packages
5.A.2.2.1.2.	Sampled portions of five to 16 packages	Four
5.A.2.2.1.3.	Sampled portions of more than 16 packages	√ Number of packages making up the sampled portion(1), up to a maximum of 20 packages
5.A.2.2.2.	Packages not exceeding 1 kg	Four
5.A.2.3.	Liquid or semi-liquid feeding stuffs:	Minimum number of containers to be sampled(2)
5.A.2.3.1.	Containers of more than one litre:
5.A.2.3.1.1.	Sampled portions of one to four containers	All containers
5.A.2.3.1.2.	Sampled portions of five to 16 containers	Four
5.A.2.3.1.3.	Sampled portions of more than 16 containers	√ Number of containers making up the sampled portion(1), up to a maximum of 20 containers
5.A.2.3.2.	Containers not exceeding one litre	Four
5.A.2.4.	Feed blocks and mineral licks	Minimum number of blocks or licks to be sampled(2)
	One block or lick per sampled portion of 25 units, up to a maximum of four blocks or licks
5.A.3.	Aggregate sample
	A single aggregate sample per sampled portion is required. The total amount in the incremental samples making up the aggregate sample shall be not less than the following:
5.A.3.1.	Loose feeding stuffs	4 kg
5.A.3.2.	Packaged feeding stuffs:
5.A.3.2.1.	Packages of more than 1 kg	4 kg
5.A.3.2.2.	Packages not exceeding 1 kg	Weight of the contents of four original packages
5.A.3.3.	Liquid or semi-liquid feeding stuffs:
5.A.3.3.1.	Containers of more than one litre	Four litres
5.A.3.3.2.	Containers not exceeding one litre	Volume of the contents of four original containers
5.A.3.4.	Feed blocks or mineral licks:
5.A.3.4.1.	Each weighing more than 1 kg	4 kg
5.A.3.4.2	Each weighing not more than 1 kg	Weight of four original blocks or licks
5.A.4.	Final samples
	The aggregate sample gives the final samples on reduction when necessary. Analysis of at least one final sample is required. The amount in the final sample for analysis shall be not less than the following:
	Solid feeding stuffs	500 g
Liquid or semi-liquid feeding stuffs	500 ml
5.B.	In relation to the control of undesirable substances or products likely to be distributed non-uniformly throughout the feeding stuffs, such as aflatoxins, rye ergot, castor-oil plant and crotalaria in straight feeding stuffs(3)
5.B.1.	Sampled portion: see 5.A.1.
5.B.2.	Incremental samples
5.B.2.1.	Loose feeding stuffs: see 5.A.2.1.
5.B.2.2.	Packaged feeding stuffs:	Minimum number of packages to be sampled
5.B.2.2.1.	Sampled portions consisting of one to four packages	All packages
5.B.2.2.2.	Sampled portions consisting of five to 16 packages	Four
5.B.2.2.3.	Sampled portions consisting of more than 16 packages	√ Number of packages making up the sampled portion(1), up to a maximum of 40 packages
5.B.3.	Aggregate samples
	The number of aggregate samples will vary with the size of the sampled portion. The minimum number of aggregate samples per sampled portion is given below. The total weight of the incremental samples making up each aggregate sample shall be not less than 4kg.
5.B.3.1.	Loose feeding stuffs
	Size of the sampled portion in metric tons:	Minimum number of aggregate samples per sampled portion:
	Up to 1	1
	More than 1 and up to 10	2
	More than 10 and up to 40	3
	More than 40	4
5.B.3.2.	Packaged feeding stuffs size of the sampled portion in number of packages:	Minimum number of aggregate samples per sampled portion:
	1 to 16	1
	17 to 200	2
	201 to 800	3
	more than 800	4
5.B.4.	Final samples
	Each aggregate sample gives the final samples on reduction. Analysis of at least one final sample per aggregate sample is required. The weight of the final sample for analysis may not be less than 500g.

SECTION B Text Referred to in Paragraph 9(b)

(1) For packaged feeding stuffs, a part of the contents of the packages to be sampled shall be removed, using a spear or shovel, after having, if necessary, emptied the packages separately.
(2) Any lumps shall be broken up (if necessary by separating them out and returning them to the sample) in each aggregate sample separately.
6.2.	Incremental samples
6.2.A.	In relation to the control of substances or products uniformly distributed throughout the feeding stuff
	Incremental samples must be taken at random throughout the whole sampled portion and they must be of approximately equal sizes.
6.2.A.1.	Loose feeding stuffs
	A notional division shall be made of the sampled portion into a number of approximately equal parts. A number of parts corresponding to the number of incremental samples required in accordance with 5.A.2 shall be selected at random and at least one sample taken from each of these parts.
	Where appropriate, sampling may be carried out when the sampled portion is being moved (loading or unloading).
6.2.A.2.	Packaged feeding stuffs
	Having selected the required number of packages for sampling as indicated in 5.A.2, part of the contents of each package shall be removed using a spear or shovel. Where necessary, the samples shall be taken after emptying the packages separately.
6.2.A.3.	Homogeneous or homogenizable liquid or semi-liquid feeding stuffs
	Having selected the required number of containers for sampling as indicated in 5.A.2, the contents shall be homogenized if necessary and an amount taken from each container.
	The incremental samples may be taken when the contents are being discharged.
6.2.A.4.	Non-homogenizable, liquid or semi-liquid feeding stuffs
	Having selected the required number of containers for sampling as indicated in 5.A.2, samples shall be taken from different levels.
Samples may also be taken when the contents are being discharged but the first fractions should be discarded.
	In either case the total volume taken must not be less than 10 litres.
6.2.A.5.	Feed blocks and mineral licks
	Having selected the required number of blocks or licks for sampling as indicated in 5.A.2, a part of each block or lick shall be taken.
6.2.B.	In relation to the control of undesirable substances or products likely to be distributed non-uniformly throughout the feeding stuff, such as aflatoxins, rye ergot, castor-oil plant and crotalaria in straight feeding stuffs
	A notional division shall be made of the sampled portion into a number or approximately equal parts, corresponding to the number of aggregate samples provided for in 5.B.3. If this number is greater than one, the total number of incremental samples provided for in 5.B.2 shall be distributed approximately equally over the different parts. Then samples of approximately equal sizes(1), and such that the total amount in the samples from each part is not less than the minimum 4kg quantity required for each aggregate sample, shall be taken. Incremental samples taken from different parts shall not be aggregated.
6.3.	Preparation of aggregate samples
6.3.A.	In relation to the control of substances of products distributed uniformly throughout the feeding stuff
	The incremental samples shall be mixed to form a single aggregate sample.
6.3.B.	In relation to the control of undesirable substances or products likely to be distributed non-uniformly throughout the feeding stuff, such as aflatoxins, rye ergot, castor-oil plant and crotalaria in straight feeding stuffs
	The incremental samples from each part of the sampled portion shall be mixed and the number of aggregate samples provided for in 5.B.3, made up taking care to note the origin of each aggregate sample.
6.4.	Preparation of final samples
	The material in each aggregate sample shall be carefully mixed to obtain an homogenized sample(2). If necessary the aggregate sample should first be reduced to at least 2kg or two litres (reduced sample) either by using a mechanical divider or by the quartering method.
	At least three final samples shall then be prepared, of approximately the same amount and conforming to the quantitative requirements of 5.A.4 or 5.B.4. Each sample shall be put into an appropriate container. All necessary precautions shall be taken to avoid any change of composition of the sample, contamination or adulteration which might arise during transportation or storage.