Animal By-Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003

Regulations 15, 19 and 36

SCHEDULE 1ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BIOGAS AND COMPOSTING PLANTS

PART Ipremises

1.—(1) There shall be –

(a)a reception area in which untreated animal by-products (including catering waste) are received,

(b)an area in which vehicles and containers are cleansed and disinfected with adequate facilities for doing this, and

(c)a clean area in which treated compost or digestion residues are stored.

(2) The clean area shall be adequately separated from the reception area and the area in which vehicles and containers are cleansed and disinfected so as to prevent contamination of the treated material. Floors shall be laid so that liquid cannot seep into the clean area from the other areas.

(3) The reception area shall be easy to clean and disinfect and shall have an enclosed and lockable place or container to receive and store the untreated animal by-products.

2.  The animal by-products shall be unloaded in the reception area and either –

(a)treated immediately; or

(b)stored in the reception area and treated without undue delay.

3.  The plant shall be operated in such a way that –

(a)treated material is not contaminated by untreated or partially treated material or liquids arising from it, and

(b)partially treated material is not contaminated with material which has not been treated to the same extent or liquids arising from it.

4.  The operator shall identify, control and monitor suitable critical points in the operation of the plant to demonstrate that –

(a)these Regulations and the Community Regulation are complied with;

(b)treated material is not contaminated by untreated or partially treated material or liquids arising from it; and

(c)partially treated material is not contaminated with material which has not been treated to the same extent or liquids arising from it.

5.  Containers, receptacles and vehicles used for transporting untreated animal by-products shall be cleaned in the dedicated area before they leave the premises and before any treated material is loaded. In the case of vehicles transporting only untreated catering waste and not subsequently transporting treated material, only the wheels of the vehicle need be cleaned.

PART IItreatment systems and parameters for catering waste

1.  Unless an approval specifically permits a different system, catering waste shall be treated by one of the systems specified in the table below. The system shall ensure that the material is treated to the following parameters:

The time temperature requirements shall be achieved as part of the composting process.

2.  The approval shall normally specify one of the methods in the table, but the Department may approve a different system if it is satisfied that it achieves the same reduction in pathogens as those methods (including any additional conditions imposed on those methods) in which case the approval shall fully describe the whole system.

Composting plants

3.  If the approval for a composting plant specifies one of the methods in the table, it shall specify which one and, in addition, shall have as a condition either that –

(a)measures shall be taken at source to ensure that meat was not included in the catering waste and that following treatment the material is stored for at least 18 days, or

(b)following the first treatment, the material shall be treated again using one of the methods in the table and specified in the approval (not necessarily the same method as was used for the first treatment) except that, if the treatment is in a windrow, the second treatment need not be in a housed windrow.

Biogas plants

4.  The approval for a biogas plant shall specify one of the methods in the table and in addition require that either –

(a)measures were taken at source to ensure that meat was not included in the catering waste; or

(b)following treatment the material is stored for an average of 18 days after treatment (storage need not be in an enclosed system).

Regulation 21

SCHEDULE 2TESTING METHODS

PART Imethod for the isolation of clostridium perfringens

Time of testing

1.  Tests shall be begun on receipt of the sample or on the first working day which allows this method to be completed. If the test is not begun on the day of receipt the sample shall be stored in a refrigerator at between 2°C and 8°C until required. If the sample has been refrigerated it shall be removed from the refrigerator and stored at room temperature for at least one hour before the test is started.

Samples

2.  Tests shall be carried out using two 10 gram ± 1 gram portions of each sample submitted for testing. Each 10 gram ± 1 gram sample shall be placed aseptically in a sterile container containing 90 ml ± 1 ml Clostridium perfringens diluent consisting of 0.1% w/v peptone and 0.8% w/v, sodium chloride at a pH of 7.0 ± 0.2 and mixed thoroughly until the sample is evenly suspended.

Inoculations

3.  For each portion of the sample 1 ml ± 0.1 ml of solution shall be transferred to a sterile 90 mm petri dish (in duplicate), to which 15 ml ± 1 ml of Egg-yolk-free Tryptose-Sulphite-Cycloserine agar (EY-free TSC agar)(1) at a temperature of 46°C ± 1°C shall be added and immediately gently mixed by swirling the dish with 5 clockwise and 5 anticlockwise circular movements.

4.  Once the agar has set, each agar plate shall be overlaid with a further 10 ml EY-free TSC agar at a temperature of 46°C ± 1°C. Once the overlay has set and with the plate lids uppermost the plates shall be incubated anaerobically at 37°C ± 1°C for 20 hours ± 2 hours.

Samples with colonies of Clostridium perfringens

5.  After incubation each set of duplicate plates shall be examined for colonies characteristic of Clostridium perfringens (black). The sample provisionally fails if any colonies characteristic of Clostridium perfringens are present, in which case the following procedure shall be followed to establish whether or not the colonies are Clostridium perfringens.

6.  In the case of each plate containing well separated colonies, 3 characteristic colonies of Clostridium perfringens shall each be subcultured onto a further EY-free TSC agar plate. If there are less than 3 colonies on the plate, all characteristic colonies shall be subcultured onto further plates. The plates shall be incubated anaerobically at 37°C ± 1°C for 20 hours ± 2 hours.

7.  If the surface area of the plates is overgrown and it is not possible to select well isolated characteristic colonies, an attempt shall be made to subculture 3 suspect colonies onto duplicate EY-free TSC agar plates and incubated anaerobically at 37°C ± 1°C for 20 hours ± 2 hours. Subsequent purification may be required in order to obtain well isolated colonies of suspect organism.

8.  One characteristic colony from each plate shall be subcultured onto EY-free TSC agar and incubated anaerobically at 37°C ± 1°C for 20 hours ± 2 hours.

Subcultured colonies

9.  After incubation each plate shall be examined for colonies characteristic of Clostridium perfringens. At least 3 colonies characteristic of Clostridium perfringens shall be –

(a)stab inoculated into motility nitrate medium(2); and

(b)inoculated into either lactose gelatine medium(3)

and incubated anaerobically at 37°C ± 1°C for 20 hours ± 2 hours.

Examination of subcultures

Motility

10.  The motility nitrate medium shall be examined for the type of growth along the stab line. If there is evidence of diffuse growth out into the medium away from the stab line, the bacteria shall be considered to be motile.

Reduction of nitrate to nitrite

11.  After examination of the motility nitrate medium 0.2 ml to 0.5 ml of nitrite detection reagent shall be added to it. The formation of a red colour confirms that the bacteria have reduced nitrate to nitrite. Cultures that show a faint reaction (i.e. a pink colour) should be discounted. If no red colour is formed within 15 minutes, a small amount of zinc dust shall be added and the tube allowed to stand for approximately15 minutes. If a red colour is formed after the addition of zinc dust no reduction of nitrate to nitrite has taken place.

Production of gas and acid from lactose and liquefaction of gelatine

12.  The lactose gelatine medium shall be examined for the presence of small gas bubbles in the medium.

13.  The lactose gelatine medium shall be examined for colour. A yellow colour indicates fermentation of lactose.

14.  The lactose gelatine medium shall be chilled for up to one hour at 2–8°C and then checked to see if the gelatine has liquefied. If the medium has solidified it shall be re-incubated anaerobically for a further 18-24 hours, the medium chilled for a further one hour at 2-8°C and again checked to see if the gelatine has liquefied.

15.  The presence of Clostridium perfringens shall be determined on the basis of the results from paragraphs 10 to 14. Bacteria which produce black colonies on EY-free TSC agar, are non-motile, reduce nitrate to nitrite, produce gas and acid from lactose and liquefy gelatine within 48 hours shall be considered to be Clostridium perfringens.

Control Tests

16.  Control tests shall be carried out each day that a test is initiated using –

(a)Clostridium perfringens NCTC 10662(4) no more than 28 days old at the time of use;

(b)Escherichia coli NCTC 10418 or equivalent not more than 28 days old at the time of use; and

(c)processed animal protein or compost or digestion residue which is free of Clostridium perfringens.

17.  10 gram ± 1 gram portions of the rendered animal protein shall be placed aseptically in each of two sterile containers containing 90 ml ± 1 ml Buffered Peptone Water (BPW)(5) and mixed thoroughly until the samples are evenly suspended.

18.  One colony of Clostridium perfringens (16)(a) shall be placed in 10 ml ± 1 ml BPW and mixed to form an even suspension. 0.1 ml of the suspension shall be added to the suspension in the preceding paragraph. This shall be repeated for Escherichia coli (16)(b).

19.  These are then treated and examined in the same way as test samples. If no typical colonies are formed then that day’s testing shall be invalid and shall be repeated.

PART IImethods for the isolation of salmonella

A. BACTERIOLOGICAL METHOD

20.  Tests shall be begun on receipt of the sample or on the first working day which allows this method to be completed. If the test is not begun on the day of receipt the sample shall be stored in a refrigerator until required. If the sample has been refrigerated it shall be removed from the refrigerator and stored at room temperature for at least one hour before the test is started.

Day 1

21.  Tests shall be carried out in duplicate using two 25 gram ± 1 gram portions of each sample submitted for testing. Each 25 gram ± 1 gram sample shall be placed aseptically in a container containing 225 ml ± 1 ml Buffered Peptone Water (BPW) and incubated at 37°C ± 1°C for 18 hours ± 2 hours.

Control Tests

22.  Control tests shall be carried out each day that a test is initiated using –

(a)Salmonella java NCTC 5706 or equivalent no more than 28 days old at the time of use;

(b)Erwinia herbicola NCTC 9381 or equivalent not more than 28 days old at the time of use; and

(c)processed animal protein or compost or digestion residue which is free of Salmonella java.

23.  10 gram ± 1 gram portions of the rendered animal protein shall be placed aseptically in each of two sterile containers containing 90 ml ± 1 ml Buffered Peptone Water (BPW)(6) and mixed thoroughly until the samples are evenly suspended.

24.  One colony of Salmonella java (22)(a) shall be placed in 10 ml ± 1 ml BPW and mixed to form an even suspension. 0.1 ml of the suspension shall be added to the suspension in the preceding paragraph. This shall be repeated for Erwinia herbicola (22)(b).

25.  These are then treated and examined in the same way as test samples. If no typical colonies are formed then that day’s testing shall be invalid and shall be repeated.

Day 2

26.  0.1 ml from the container of incubated BPW shall be inoculated into 10 ml ± 1 ml Rappaport-Vassiliadis Soya Broth (RVS broth)(7) and incubated at 41.5°C ± 0.5°C for 18 to 24 hours.

Day 3

27.  The RVS broth shall be plated out onto two 90 mm plates of Brilliant Green Agar (BGA)(8) or onto one 90 mm plate of BGA and one 90 mm plate of Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate Agar (XLD)(9) using a 2.5 mm diameter loop. The plates shall be inoculated with a droplet taken from the edge of the surface of the fluid by drawing the loop over the whole of one plate in a zig zag pattern and continuing to the second plate without recharging the loop. The space between the loop streaks shall be 0.5 cm-1.0 cm. The plates shall be incubated at 37°C ± 1°C for 18 to 24 hours.

28.  The residual RVS broth shall be reincubated at 41.5°C ± 0.5°C for a further 18 to 24 hours.

Day 4

29.  The plates shall be examined and a minimum of 3 colonies from each plate showing suspicion of Salmonella growth shall be subcultured –

(a)onto a nutrient agar plate;

(b)onto a MacConkey agar plate(10); and

(c)into/onto biochemical media suitable for the identification of Salmonella.

These media shall be incubated at 37°C ± 1°C overnight.

30.  The reincubated RVS broth shall be plated out as described in paragraph 27.

Day 5

31.  The incubated composite media or equivalent shall be examined and the findings recorded, discarding cultures which are obviously not Salmonella. Slide serological tests shall be performed using Salmonella polyvalent “O” and polyvalent “H” (phase 1 and 2) agglutinating sera on selected suspect colonies collected from the nutrient agar or MacConkey agar plates. If reactions occur with one or both sera, a subculture of the colonies shall be sent to one of the Department’s laboratories at either Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science Division, Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX or, Veterinary Science Division, Stoney Road, Belfast, BT4 3SD, for further typing.

32.  The plates referred to in paragraph 30 shall be examined and further action taken as in paragraphs 29 and 31.

B. ELECTRICAL CONDUCTANCE METHOD

33.  Tests shall be begun on receipt of the samples or on the first working day which allows the following method to be completed. If the test is not begun on the day of receipt the sample shall be stored in a refrigerator until required. If the sample has been refrigerated it shall be removed from the refrigerator and stored at room temperature for at least one hour before the test is started.

Day 1

34.  Tests shall be carried out in duplicate using two 25 gram ± 1 gram portions of each sample submitted for testing. Each 25 gram ± 1gram sample shall be placed aseptically in a sterile container containing 225 ml ± 1 ml Buffered Peptone Water (BPW) (11) and incubated at 37°C ± 1°C for 18 to 24 hours.

Control Tests

35.  Control tests shall be carried out each day that a test is initiated using –

(a)Salmonella java NCTC 5706 or equivalent no more than 28 days old at the time of use;

(b)Erwinia herbicola NCTC 9381 or equivalent not more than 28 days old at the time of use; and

(c)processed animal protein or compost or digestion residue which is free of Salmonella java.

36.  10 gram ± 1 gram portions of the rendered animal protein shall be placed aseptically in each of two sterile containers containing 90 ml ± 1 ml Buffered Peptone Water (BPW)(11) and mixed thoroughly until the samples are evenly suspended.

37.  One colony of Salmonella java (35)(a) shall be placed in 10 ml ± 1 ml BPW and mixed to form an even suspension. 0.1 ml of the suspension shall be added to the suspension in the preceding paragraph. This shall be repeated for Erwinia herbicola (35)(b).

38.  These are then treated and examined in the same way as test samples. If no typical colonies are formed then that day’s testing shall be invalid and shall be repeated.

Day 2

39.  The incubated BPW shall be added to Rappaport -Vassiliadis Soya (RVS) Broth in tubes to be inserted into electrical conductance cells. Detection of growth will utilise indirect impediometry as in the method of Donaghy and Madden (1993)(12). For cells or tubes containing more than 5 ml (RVS) medium 0.2 ml of the BPW shall be added and for cells or tubes containing 5 ml or less (RVS) medium 0.1 ml of the BPW shall be added. Cells or tubes shall be connected to appropriate electrical conductance measuring equipment set to monitor and record changes in electrical conductance at 6 minute intervals over a 24 hour period. The temperature of cells and tubes shall be kept at 42°C ± 0.5°C.

Day 3

40.  At the end of the 24 hour period, the information recorded by the conductance measuring equipment shall be analysed and interpreted using criteria defined by the manufacturers of the equipment. Where a tube or cell is provisionally identified as being positive for Salmonella, the result shall be confirmed by subculturing the contents of the tube or cell onto two 90 mm plates of BGA or onto one 90 mm plate of BGA and one 90 mm plate of Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate Agar (XLD) using a 2.5 mm diameter loop. The plates shall be inoculated with a droplet taken from the edge of the surface of the fluid by drawing the loop over the whole of one plate in a zig zag pattern and continuing to the second plate without recharging the loop. The space between the loop streaks shall be 0.5 cm-1.0 cm. The plates shall be incubated at 37°C ± 1°C overnight.

Day 4

41.  The plates shall be examined and a minimum of 3 colonies from each plate showing suspicion of Salmonella growth shall be subcultured –

(a)onto a nutrient agar plate;

(b)onto a MacConkey agar plate; and

(c)into/onto biochemical media suitable for the identification of Salmonella.

These media shall be incubated at 37°C ± 1°C overnight.

Day 5

42.  The incubated composite media or equivalent shall be examined and the findings recorded, discarding cultures which are obviously not Salmonella. Slide serological tests shall be performed using Salmonella polyvalent “O” and polyvalent “H” (phase 1 and 2) agglutinating sera on selected suspect colonies collected from the nutrient agar or MacConkey agar plates. If reactions occur with one or both sera, a subculture of the colonies shall be sent to one of the Department’s laboratories at either Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science Division, Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX, or Veterinary Science Division, Stoney Road, Belfast, BT4 3SD, for further typing.

PART IIImethod for the isolation of enterobacteriaceae

43.  Tests shall be begun on receipt of the sample or on the first working day which allows this method to be completed. If the test is not begun on the day of receipt the sample shall be stored in a refrigerator until required at between 2°C and 8°C. If the sample has been refrigerated it shall be removed from the refrigerator and stored at room temperature for at least one hour before the test is started.

Samples

44.  Tests shall be carried out using five 10 gram ± 1 gram portions of each sample submitted for testing. Each 10 gram ± 1 gram sample shall be placed aseptically in a sterile container containing 90 ml ± 1 ml Buffered Peptone Water (BPW) and mixed thoroughly until the sample is evenly suspended.

Controls

45.  Control tests shall be carried out each day that a test is initiated using –

(a)Escherichia coli NCTC 10418 no more than 28 days old at time of use; and

(b)processed animal protein or compost or digestive residue which is free of Enterobacteriaceae.

46.  A 10 gram ± 1 gram portion of the rendered animal protein shall be placed aseptically in a sterile container containing 90 ml ± 1 ml BPW and mixed thoroughly until the sample is evenly suspended.

47.  One colony of Escherichia coli shall be placed in 10 ml ± 1 ml BPW and mixed to form an even suspension. Approximately 0.1 ml of the suspension shall be added to the suspension in the preceding paragraph.

48.  This is then treated and examined in the same way as test samples. If no typical colonies are formed then that day’s testing shall be invalid and shall be repeated.

Inoculations

49.  For each portion of the sample 1 ml ± 0.1 ml of solution shall be transferred to a sterile 90 mm petri dish (in duplicate). The plates shall be labelled to identify the portion of sample they were taken from. 15 ml ± 1 ml of Violet Red Bile Glucose Agar (VRBGA)(13) at a temperature of 46°C ± 1°C shall be added to each petri dish and immediately gently mixed by swirling the dish with five clockwise and five anticlockwise circular movements.

50.  Once the agar has set, each agar plate shall be overlaid with a further 10 ml (approximately) of VRBGA at a temperature of 46°C ± 1°C. Once the overlay has set, the plates shall be inverted and incubated aerobically at 37°C ± 1°C for 20 hours ± 2 hours.

Samples with colonies of Enterobacteriaceae

51.  After incubation each set of duplicate plates shall be examined for colonies characteristic of Enterobacteriaceae (purple colonies 1-2 mm in diameter). All characteristic colonies on each plate shall be counted and the arithmetic mean of the duplicate plates taken.

The sample provisionally fails if either –

(a)any arithmetic mean is above 30(14); or

(b)three or more arithmetic means are above 10;

in which case the following procedure shall be followed to establish whether or not the colonies are Enterobacteriaceae.

52.  After counting the colonies, characteristic colonies shall be taken at random from the agar plates, the number being at least the square root of the colonies counted. Each of the colonies shall be subcultured onto a nutrient agar plate and incubated aerobically at 37°C ± 1°C for 20 hours ± 2 hours.

Examination of subcultures

53.  An oxidase test and a glucose fermentation test shall be performed on each of the five subcultured colonies. Colonies which are oxidase-negative and glucose fermentation-positive shall be considered to be Enterobacteriaceae.

54.  If not all of the colonies prove to be Enterobacteriaceae, the total count in paragraph 51 shall be reduced in proportion prior to establishing whether or not the sample should fail.

Regulation 49

SCHEDULE 3TRANSITIONAL MEASURES

PART Itransitional measures regarding the intra-species recycling ban for fish(15)

1.  In accordance with Article 1 of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 811/2003 implementing Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the intra-species recycling ban for fish, the burial and burning of animal by-products and certain transitional measures, the prohibition on the feeding of fish with processed animal protein derived from the bodies or parts of bodies of fish of the same species in Article 22(1)(a) of the Community Regulation shall not apply.

PART IIthe collection, transportation and disposal of former foodstuffs(16)

1.—(1) The Department shall be the competent authority for granting approvals under Commission Regulation (EC) No. 813/2003 on transitional measures under Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the collection, transport and disposal of former foodstuffs.

(2) Instructions for the purposes of Article 3(3) of that Regulation may be issued by an inspector.

Collection, transport and disposal of former foodstuffs

2.  For the purposes of Article 1(1) of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 813/2003, by way of derogation from Article 6(2)(f) and Article 7 of the Community Regulation former foodstuffs which have not been mixed with any other animal by-products (other than Category 3 catering waste) may be collected, transported and disposed of or treated in the same way as catering waste.

3.  Where former foodstuffs are mixed with Category 1 or Category 2 material any person in possession or control of the material shall ensure that it is disposed of in accordance with Article 1(2) of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 813/2003; and any person who fails to do so shall be guilty of an offence.

4.  Where former foodstuffs are sent for disposal in an approved landfill site, any person in possession or control of the material shall comply with Article 1(3) of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 813/2003 and any person who fails to do so shall be guilty of an offence.

5.  A person who contravenes any instructions given by an inspector under Article 3(3) of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 813/2003 shall be guilty of an offence.

6.  In this Part “former foodstuffs” does not include waste from the production of products which are intended to be cooked before they are eaten.

PART IIIused cooking oil in animal feed(17)

Scope

1.  Notwithstanding the prohibition on feeding farmed animals with catering waste or feed material containing or derived from catering waste, used cooking oil may be used for the production of animal feed if it has been collected, treated and blended in accordance with this Part.

2.  This Part is confined to used cooking oil which –

(a)originates exclusively in restaurants, catering facilities and kitchens, including central kitchens and household kitchens; and

(b)is intended for the production of animal feed.

Approvals

3.—(1) The Department shall approve –

(a)collectors of used cooking oil if it is satisfied that the collector complies with the requirements of this Part; and

(b)operators of premises on which used cooking oil is treated or mixed with other oils if it is satisfied that the premises and operation comply with the requirements of this Part.

(2) The approval shall only be granted if the collector or operator was collecting, treating or blending used cooking oils on 1st November 2002.

4.  The approval shall specify –

(a)the name of the operator and the address of the approved premises; and

(b)in the case of treatment premises, the parts of the premises in which used cooking oil may be received and treated;

(c)the expiry date which shall be no later than 31st October 2004.

5.—(1) Approval shall be suspended immediately if the conditions under which it was granted are no longer fulfilled.

(2) Once suspended, the approval shall only be reinstated subject to fulfilment of the requirements of the Community Regulation in their entirety.

General obligations

6.—(1) Used cooking oil shall be collected, transported, stored, handled, treated and used in accordance with this Part.

(2) A person who contravenes sub-paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence.

(3) Any used cooking oil which does not comply with the provisions of this Part shall be disposed of as directed by notice by an inspector.

7.  Used cooking oil shall be –

(a)collected by an approved collector;

(b)treated by an approved operator on approved treatment premises, and

(c)mixed with other oils by an approved operator on approved blending premises.

Collection and transportation of used cooking oil

8.—(1) Used cooking oil shall be collected and transported in lidded containers or leak proof vehicles and identified in such a way that the contents, even after mixing, are traceable to all the premises of origin.

(2) Collectors shall take all necessary measures to ensure that the used cooking oil collected is free from contamination by harmful substances.

(3) Reusable containers, and all reusable items of equipment or appliances that come into contact with used cooking oil, shall be cleaned, washed and disinfected after each use.

(4) Vehicles or containers which carry any material which could contaminate the used cooking oil shall be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected before they are used to carry used cooking oil.

Approved premises and the operation of blending premises

9.  The operator of approved premises shall ensure that the premises comply with, and are operated in accordance with, the provisions of this Part.

10.—(1) Before mixing with other oil, operators of blending premises must in addition ensure that each batch of used cooking oil is tested to ensure compliance with the standards in paragraph 16. A batch shall be no greater than 30 tonnes.

(2) Collectors and operators of approved premises shall ensure that used cooking oil that does not comply with the standards in paragraph 16 is not used for animal feed.

Approved premises

11.—(1) Approved premises shall be constructed in such a way that they are easy to clean and disinfect.

(2) Unauthorised persons and animals shall not have access to the premises.

(3) The premises shall have adequate facilities for cleaning and disinfecting the containers or receptacles in which used cooking oil is received and, where appropriate, the vehicles in which it is transported.

(4) The premises shall have adequate lavatories and washing facilities for staff.

(5) The premises shall have a covered space, clearly marked, to receive used cooking oil.

(6) Where appropriate, the premises shall have a separate storage area for any used cooking oil that is not suitable for use in animal feed.

(7) Tanks shall be sealed with vents located and screened in a manner that prevents entry by contaminants or pests.

(8) Pipework shall be sealed when not in use.

Operators' own-checks

12.—(1) Operators of approved premises shall adopt all measures necessary to comply with the requirements of this Part.

(2) They shall put in place, implement and maintain a procedure developed in accordance with the principles of the system of hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP).

(3) They shall in particular –

(a)identify and control the critical control points in the premises,

(b)establish and implement methods for monitoring and checking such critical control points and keep records of such checks for at least two years, and

(c)ensure the traceability of each batch received and despatched.

13.—(1) The operator of approved blending premises shall carry out checks and take samples for the purposes of checking compliance with the standards in paragraph 16.

(2) Where the results of a check or a test show that the used cooking oil does not comply with the provisions of this Part, the operator shall –

(a)establish the causes of failures of compliance;

(b)ensure that the oil is not despatched for use in feedingstuffs;

(c)instigate appropriate decontamination and cleaning procedures; and

(d)where used cooking oil has already been despatched for use in feedingstuffs, or incorporated into feedingstuffs, take all necessary measures to ensure that feedingstuffs containing the oil are not fed to livestock.

14.—(1) The operator shall record the results of the checks and tests.

(2) The operator shall keep a sample of each consignment of used cooking oil despatched from the premises and shall keep it for at least six months.

Hygiene requirements in approved premises

15.—(1) Containers, receptacles and, where appropriate, vehicles used for transporting used cooking oil shall be cleaned in a designated area.

(2) Preventive measures against birds, rodents, insects or other vermin shall be taken systematically.

(3) Used cooking oil intended for use in animal feed shall not be stored in the same area as used cooking oil which is not suitable for use in animal feed or products which may pose a risk to animal or human health.

(4) Cleaning procedures shall be established and documented for all parts of the premises.

(5) Hygiene control shall include regular inspections of the environment and equipment.

(6) Inspection schedules and results shall be recorded.

(7) Installations and equipment shall be kept in a good state of repair.

(8) Measuring equipment shall be calibrated at least once a year.

(9) Tanks and pipes shall be cleaned internally at least once a year or when there is build-up of water and physical contaminants.

(10) Treated used cooking oil must be handled and stored in such a way as to preclude contamination.

Specification for used cooking oil for use in animal feed

16.—(1) Used cooking oil shall meet the following minimum standards before use in animal feed.

(2) Physical contamination:

(a)moisture and impurities: <3%

(b)impurities: <0.15 %.

(3) Presence of mineral oil: absence.

(4) Presence of oxidised fatty acids: >88% Elutable Fatty acid content.

(5) Presence of pesticide residues: complies with Directive 2002/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on undesirable substances in animal feed(18).

(6) Presence of PCBs: <100ppb for the 7 main congeners(19).

(7) Presence of Salmonella: absence.

(8) Presence of animal fat:

(a)Pentadecanoic acid (C15): <0.2%

(b)Cis-9-hexadecanoic acid (C16: 1): <2%

(c)Heptadecanoic acid (C17): <0.4%

(d)Cis-9-heptadecanoic acid (C17: 1): <0.3%

(e)Fatty acids with a chain length of 20 carbon atoms or more (C20+): < 5%.

Commercial documents

17.—(1) Commercial documents may be in written or electronic form.

(2) A written commercial document or a printout of an electronic document shall accompany the consignment of used cooking oil during transportation.

(3) The producer, receiver and carrier shall each retain a copy of a written commercial document or, for electronic information, a printout of that information.

(4) Commercial documents shall contain the following information –

(a)the address of the premises from which the used cooking oil was taken;

(b)the date on which the used cooking oil was taken from the premises;

(c)the quality and description of the used cooking oil;

(d)the quantity of the used cooking oil;

(e)the name and the address of the carrier;

(f)the destination of the used cooking oil; and

(g)a unique reference number that links the collector and the container or vehicle to the premises from which the used cooking oil was taken.

Records

18.—(1) A person consigning, transporting or receiving used cooking oil shall keep a record containing the information specified in the commercial document.

(2) For used cooking oil which is suitable for use in animal feed, the records shall in addition provide for full traceability of the oil from the premises of origin to its incorporation into animal feed.

(3) For used cooking oil which is not suitable for use in animal feed, the person consigning the oil for disposal shall in addition keep a record showing the method and place of disposal and the date the oil was consigned for disposal.

List of premises

19.—(1) The Department shall maintain a list of the names and addresses of approved:

(a)collectors of used cooking oil;

(b)operators of treatment premises; and

(c)operators of blending premises.

(2) Each collector and operator of approved premises shall be assigned an official identification number.

(3) The Department shall make this list publicly available.

PART IVmammalian blood(20)

General obligations

1.  By way of derogation from Annex VII, Chapter II, paragraph 1 to the Community Regulation, mammalian blood may be processed in accordance with this Part.

2.  The Department may approve the use of processing methods 2 to 5 or 7 of Annex V to the Community Regulation for the processing of mammalian blood.

3.—(1) Approval shall be suspended immediately if the conditions under which it was granted are no longer fulfilled.

(2) Once suspended, the approval shall only be reinstated subject to fulfilment of the requirements of the Regulation in their entirety.

(3) Any material not processed in accordance with this Part or the Community Regulation shall be disposed of as instructed by an inspector.

4.  The approval shall only be granted if the operator was processing at those premises, using that equipment and using those methods on 1st November 2002.

5.  All other relevant provisions of the Community Regulation shall be complied with.

PART Voleochemical plants using rendered fats from category 2 and category 3 materials(21)

General obligations

1.  By way of derogation from Article 14 of the Community Regulation, the Department may approve the use of oleochemical plants to process rendered fats derived from both Category 2 and Category 3 material providing they comply with the following conditions.

2.—(1) Approval shall be suspended immediately if the conditions under which it was granted are not fulfilled.

(2) Once suspended, the approval shall only be reinstated subject to fulfilment of the requirements of the Community Regulation in their entirety.

(3) Any material not processed in accordance with this Part or the Community Regulation shall be disposed of as instructed by an inspector.

3.  The approval shall only be granted to premises and facilities that operated in that way on 1st November 2002.

Specific requirements

4.—(1) Only rendered fats derived from Category 2 and Category 3 materials may be used.

(2) Rendered fats derived from Category 2 materials shall be processed in accordance with the standards in Chapter III of Annex VI to the Community Regulation.

(3) Additional processes such as distillation, filtration and processing with absorbents shall be used to further improve the safety of the tallow derivatives.

PART VIlow capacity incineration or co-incineration plants which do not incinerate or co-incinerate specified risk materials or carcases containing them(22)

General obligations

1.  By way of derogation from Article 12(3) of the Community Regulation, the Department may approve the use of low capacity incineration or co-incineration plants which do not meet the requirements laid down in Annex IV to the Community Regulation if they are operated in accordance with this Part.

2.—(1) Approval shall be suspended immediately if the conditions under which it was granted are no longer fulfilled.

(2) Once suspended, the approval shall only be reinstated subject to fulfilment of the requirements of the Community Regulation in their entirety, including Annex IV.

(3) Any material not incinerated in accordance with this Part or the Community Regulation shall be disposed of as instructed by an inspector.

3.  The approval shall only be granted to incinerators that were in operation on 1st November 2002.

4.  The operator shall take all necessary measures to ensure that –

(a)animal by-products are handled and stored safely and incinerated or co-incinerated without undue delay in such a way that they are reduced to dry ash;

(b)the dry ash is disposed of properly and records are kept of the quantity and description of the animal by-products incinerated and the date of incineration;

(c)the dry ash is not removed from the combustion chamber unless combustion is complete; and

(d)transport and intermediate storage of the dry ash shall take place in a closed container to prevent dispersal in the environment and disposed of safely,

and if he fails to do so he shall be guilty of an offence.

5.  In the case of a breakdown or malfunction, the operator must reduce or close down operations as soon as practicable until normal operations can be resumed, and if he fails to do so he shall be guilty of an offence.

Regulation 50

SCHEDULE 4AMENDMENTS TO THE TRANSMISSIBLE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY (NORTHERN IRELAND) REGULATIONS 2002

1.  The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2002 are amended in accordance with this Schedule.

2.  Regulations 33(4), 34(2) and (5), 52, 54, 56(1)(a), 56(2)(b), 56(4)(c) , (d) and (e), 63 to 68, 69(1), (3), (4) and (5) and Schedule 6 are revoked.

3.  At the end of regulation 13 there shall be added –

“(7) In this regulation mammalian meat and bone meal does not include any compost or digestion residues resulting from the treatment of animal by-products in a composting or biogas plant in accordance with the Animal By-Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003.”.

4.  After regulation 34 there shall be inserted –

“Mixing specified risk material with other animal material

34A.  Any animal material that comes into contact with specified risk material shall be treated as specified risk material.”.

5.  For regulation 40 there shall be substituted the following regulation –

“Disposal of specified risk material

40.  Once specified risk material has been removed from the carcase and treated in accordance with this Part, including any material treated as if it were specified risk material in accordance with regulation 33(5) or 34(4), or, in the case of specified solid waste, recovered from the drainage system, the person responsible for its removal or recovery shall, without unreasonable delay –

(a)consign it in accordance with the Animal By-Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003; or

(b)consign it to premises licensed under regulation 57.”.

6.—(1) In regulations 57(3) and (5) and 60(5) the words “and Schedule 6” shall be deleted.

(2) In regulations 60(1), 61(1) and 71(2) the words “or Schedule 6” shall be deleted.

7.  For regulation 102(1) there shall be substituted the following regulation –

“General provisions relative to slaughter and compensation

(1) Where an animal or bird has been slaughtered under these Regulations at the direction of the Department the carcase shall belong to the Department and may be sold or otherwise disposed of by or at the direction of the Department, as the condition of the animal, bird or carcase and other circumstances may permit.”.

8.  For Schedule 5 (Application of Part IV of the Regulations to scheme animals) there shall be substituted the following Schedule –

“SCHEDULE 5APPLICATION OF PART IV OF THE REGULATIONS TO SCHEME ANIMALS

Regulation 51

SCHEDULE 5REVOCATIONS