(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
These Regulations make provision for the purpose of dealing in Northern Ireland with the obligations in Article 6 and Annex III, Chapter A, Section 1, paragraph 3 of Regulation (EC) No. 999/2001 of 22nd May 2001 (O.J. No. L147, 31.5.2001, p. 5 & 16) laying down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1248/2001 of 22nd June 2001 (O.J. No. L173, 27.6.2001, p. 12).
These require member States to ensure that certain categories of bovine animals over 24 months of age are examined in accordance with prescribed minimum requirements for monitoring bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
The Regulations require the person in possession or in charge of a notifiable bovine animal, defined in regulation 2 as a bovine animal aged over 24 months of age which dies on any farm or in transport or which has been killed otherwise than for human consumption, to notify the death to a Divisional Veterinary Officer of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The Regulations provide powers of entry, examination and search, offences and penalties.
Related amendments for the purpose of dealing with these Community obligations are made to regulations 2 and 10 of the Cattle Passport Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999.