Amendments to the Specified Risk Material Order 19972.
(1)
(2)
In article 2(1) (interpretation)–
(a)
(b)
““vertebral column” excludes the vertebrae of the tail and the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae but includes dorsal root ganglia”.
(3)
“(5)
Notwithstanding the definition of “specified risk material” in paragraph (1)(c) above, where the carcase of a bovine animal containing vertebral column which is specified bovine material has been imported in accordance with article 6(2A) below, the part of the carcase not comprising the vertebral column shall not be regarded as specified risk material for the purposes of this Order.”.
(4)
(5)
“(2)
Material derived from a sheep or goat born, continuously reared and slaughtered in any of the countries specified in paragraph (3) below is not specified sheep or goat material as defined by paragraph (1) above.
(3)
The countries are–
Argentina
Australia
Botswana
Brazil
Chile
Costa Rica
Namibia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Paraguay
Singapore
Swaziland
Uruguay.”.
(6)
“4.
(1)
In this Order, “specified bovine material” means–
(a)
(subject to paragraph (3) below) the intestines from the duodenum to the rectum of a bovine animal, regardless of where it was slaughtered or died or of its age at slaughter or death;
(b)
the following material derived from a bovine animal which was slaughtered or died in the United Kingdom or Portugal:–
(i)
when it was aged over 6 months–
(aa)
the head (excluding the tongue but including the brain, eyes, trigeminal ganglia and tonsils);
(bb)
the thymus;
(cc)
the spleen;
(dd)
the spinal cord; and
(ii)
(subject to paragraph (4) below) when it was aged over 12 months, the vertebral column; and
(c)
(subject to paragraph (3) below) the following material derived from a bovine animal which was slaughtered or died elsewhere than in the United Kingdom or Portugal when it was aged over 12 months:–
(i)
the skull (including the brain and eyes);
(ii)
the tonsils;
(iii)
the spinal cord; and
(iv)
(subject to paragraph (5) below) the vertebral column.
(2)
In each of sub–paragraphs (b) and (c) of paragraph (1) above and in paragraph (4) below, the reference to Portugal does not include a reference to the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
(3)
Material derived from a bovine animal born, continuously reared and slaughtered in any of the countries specified in article 3(3) above is not specified bovine material as defined by paragraph (1)(a) or (c) above.
(4)
Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(b)(ii) above, the vertebral column of a bovine animal born and continuously reared in the United Kingdom or Portugal and slaughtered there when it was aged over 12 months but no more than 30 months shall not be regarded as specified bovine material for the purposes of this Order.
(5)
Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(c)(iv) above, the vertebral column of a bovine animal born, continuously reared and slaughtered in Austria, Finland or Sweden shall not be regarded as specified bovine material for the purposes of this Order.”.
(7)
(a)
the words “Subject to paragraph (2A) below,” shall be inserted at the beginning of paragraph (2); and
(b)
“(2A)
Paragraph (2) above shall not be taken to prohibit the import into Scotland from outside the British Islands of a carcase of a bovine animal containing any vertebral column which is specified bovine material where–
(a)
the carcase is to be transported directly to cutting premises designated in accordance with regulation 15A of the Specified Risk Material Regulations 19976 for the removal of the vertebral column there; and(b)
not less than 72 hours before it is intended that the carcase be imported, the person importing the carcase has given notice of the intended import to the director of the Meat Hygiene Service of the Food Standards Agency for the region of that Service in which those premises are situated (or, if there is no such director, the officer of the Food Standards Agency responsible for the exercise of similar functions).”.
