Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations which extend to Scotland only, amend the Specified Risk Material Regulations 1997 (“the principal Regulations”). The Regulations make provision for two changes to the processing requirements at approved rendering plants in Scotland under regulation 24 of the principal Regulations.

The first change is to allow mixing of specified risk material with other material at approved rendering plants providing all the material is kept, stored, handled and rendered as specified risk material. The operator must record the respective weights of any specified risk material kept, stored, handled and rendered with other material and keep such records for a period of two years. The change is related to the requirements of paragraph 3(b)(ii) of Annex I to Commission Decision 2000/418/EC (O.J. No. L 158, 30.6.00, p.76).

The second change gives effect to articles 3.1 and 7(b) of, and paragraph 3(b)(ii) of Annex I to, Commission Decision 2000/418/EC regulating the use of material presenting risks as regards transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and amending Decision 94/474/EC. Specified risk material which is to be buried at licensed landfill sites must first have been processed at an approved rendering plant in accordance with method 4 prescribed in Part II of Schedule 1 to the principal Regulations.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared and placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. Copies can be obtained from SERAD, Livestock Animal Health and Welfare Branch, Room 358d, Pentland House, 47 Robb’s Loan, Edinburgh EH14 1TY.