This Order implements the provisions of Annex XI to Regulation (EC) No. 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Annex XI imposed transitional measures with regard to the removal of specified risk material and was inserted into Regulation (EC) No. 999/2001 by Article 3 of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1326/2001. In article 2 of the principal Order, a definition of vertebral column is added at the end of paragraph (1) and a new paragraph (5) is added. Article 3 of the principal Order (which defines "specified sheep or goat material") is amended to exclude from the scope of the definition material derived from sheep and goats born, continuously reared and slaughtered in certain third countries. Article 4 of the principal Order (which defines "specified bovine material") is substituted by a new article so that, in particular, material derived from bovine animals born, continuously reared and slaughtered in certain third countries is now outside the scope of the definition (article 2(6)). Article 6 of the principal Order (which regulates the "import of specified risk material") is amended to impose new requirements for the import of carcases of bovine animals containing vertebral column which are specified risk material; and a new form of importation certificate is substituted in Schedule 2 to the principal Order (article 2(7) and (8)).
The second change is related to the requirements of paragraph 3(b)(ii) of Annex I to the Commission Decision. It will allow mixing of specified risk material with other material at approved rendering plants providing all the material is dealt with a specified risk material. Specified risk material kept, stored, handled and rendered at an approved rendering plant, whether processed in accordance with that method 4, or in accordance with one of the other methods prescribed in Part II of Schedule 1 to the Specified Risk Material Regulations 1997, may now be kept, stored, handled and rendered with other material at the approved rendering plant providing all the material is kept, stored, handled and rendered as specified risk material and records are kept for two years of the exact quantities of all the specified risk material and other material concerned.