CUSTOMER INFORMATION NOTE ON TRADE IN EXPORT
NUMBER 2007/148(S)
11 October 2007
To: Interested Parties
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD): Arrangements for the Intra-Community Trade and Export to non-EU Countries of Meat, Minced Meat and Meat Preparations
The Slaughter for Export Scheme
1. This CIN provides guidance (effective after 12 October 2007) on the trade of meat, minced meat and meat preparations derived from FMD susceptible species to EU and non-EU countries under a new Scheme called the Slaughter for Export Scheme. The Scheme will run as set out in this CIN until it is either amended or removed under any further amendment to Commission Decision 554/2007/EC.
Background
2. Commission Decision 2007/554/EC is the principal Commission legislation that sets out the protection measures against FMD in the UK.
3. A new Decision further amends Decision 2007/554/EC and the protection measures for the intra-Community trade and export to non-EU countries of meat, minced meat and meat preparations derived from FMD susceptible species. This new Decision enables the Slaughter for Export Scheme. CIN Number 2007/149(S) confirms the adoption of the new decision.
Non-EU Exports
4. Meat, minced meat and meat preparations derived from FMD susceptible species may be exported to certain non-EU countries where the recipient country has not imposed a ban on the export commodity and the certification is able to be signed. Potential exporters should check with their local Animal Health Office on whether non-EU export health certificates are available before making any export arrangements. All meat despatched from UK must meet the requirements of Commission Decision 2007/554/EC as amended whether to EU or non-EU destinations.
EU and non-EU exports
5. Meat, minced meat and meat preparations derived from FMD susceptible species may be traded from the UK in compliance with Commission Decision 2007/554/EC as amended. The Decision allows meats to continue be traded under the conditions set out in 5a and 5b below and in addition under the new 'Scheme' arrangements described in 5c:
5a. As described in CIN 2007/140 meats, including meats from farmed or wild game, may be traded that are derived from FMD susceptible animals reared for at least 90 days prior to slaughter and slaughtered outside the areas listed in Annex I and II of Decision 2007/554/EC (i.e. outside of Great Britain), is clearly marked/identified and has been kept separate during and since production or importation from meat which is not eligible for trade.
5b. As described in CIN 2007/140 meats, including meats from farmed or wild game, may be traded that are derived from FMD susceptible animals and which was produced before the 15 July 2007, is clearly marked/identified and has been kept separate during and since production from meat which is not eligible for trade.
5c. In addition after 12 October 2007 meats, not including meats from farmed or wild game, may be traded that are obtained from FMD susceptible animals in accordance with the following 'Scheme' arrangements:
(i) The animals have been reared for at least 90 days on holdings situated within the areas specified in columns 1 to 3 of Appendix 1 where there has been no outbreak of FMD for at least 90 days; and
(ii) During the last 30 days (prior to transport to the slaughterhouse) the animals have remained under the supervision of the competent veterinary authority on a single holding and the holding is situated within the areas specified in columns 1 to 3 of Appendix 1 where there has been no outbreak of FMD; and
(iii) No FMD susceptible animals have been introduced into the holding during the last 21 days (prior to transport to the Slaughterhouse). Where pigs are coming from a supplying holding and they meet the requirements in point (ii) this period may be reduced to 7 days; and
(iv) The animals have been transported from the holding directly (without any multiple pick ups or drop offs) to the Slaughterhouse under official control (see official controls in para's below) in vehicles cleansed and disinfected before loading; and
(v) The animals have been slaughtered within 24 hours after arrival at the Slaughterhouse and the animals and meat has been kept separate from animals and meats not eligible for trade.
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Action for those supplying Slaughterhouses under the Slaughter for Export Scheme
6. The amending Decision which enables the 'Slaughter for Export' scheme places several obligations on the competent authorities (CAs). Owners/keepers of livestock and Food Business Operators' (FBO) assistance is critical in ensuring that the CAs fulfil these obligations.
7. The owner or keeper of the animals intended for slaughter will need to complete and submit a 'Declaration' providing several assurances about the animals' whereabouts in the last 90 days and their identification details. A sample Declaration is attached at Appendix 2 which must be used. The Declaration helps, in part, to fulfil the requirement to authorise the export of meat derived from these animals. The Declaration is made under the Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mount Disease) (No. 4) (Scotland) Regulations 2007, and it is important that it is correctly completed. We have determined a 'holding' as described in the EU Decision be identified by CPH numbers only. Meat obtained from animals moved from 'common' land directly to an export approved Slaughterhouse will not be eligible for trade.
8. The owner or keeper of the animals intended for slaughter must pre-notify the official veterinarian of the export approved slaughterhouse of his/her intention to have animals slaughtered for export. This must be done by completing Part A of the Declaration at Appendix 2 and faxing it (i.e. with just Part A completed) over to the slaughterhouse. Part B of the declaration must be completed on the day the animals are to be moved, together with the schedule. The original signed copy of the whole Declaration (Parts A and B, with the schedule) must accompany the animals to the export approved slaughterhouse. This Declaration helps, in part, to fulfil the requirement that movements are made under official control.
9. The owner or keeper of the animals intended for slaughter must be aware that an early submission of the Pre-notification will help the CAs arrange and complete the necessary checks as quickly as possible after the animals arrive at the export approved slaughterhouse. If the necessary checks cannot be completed, or where the checks reveal significant discrepancies, the carcases may be retained for more than 24 hours at the slaughterhouse, or round marked (rendering them ineligible for export).
10. The owner or keeper of the animals is responsible for ensuring that movements of animals from holdings to Slaughterhouse are made in compliance with any domestic FMD and bluetongue licensing requirements. Further details on these requirements can be found at this link -
www.scotland.gov.uk/footandmouth
Those supplying Slaughterhouses under the Slaughter for Export Scheme
- Must build in to their plans to export suitable time to allow the export restrictions to be met
- Must be aware that no meat will be exported until they have been subject to a successful audit check
- Must ensure they have their Cattle Tracing System and Scottish Animal Movement Unit records up to date
- Must be aware that any attempt to curtail the EU rules of this Scheme could lead to other EU Member States refusing entry of UK meat and may prolong the period of time that these export arrangements remain in force
- Must be aware that to provide a false Declaration is an offence under the Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-And-Mouth Disease) (Scotland) (No 4) Regulations 2007 and that anyone who does so may be liable to prosecution.
Action for Slaughterhouses
11. To be engaged in the production of meat and its export under the Slaughter for Export Scheme, Slaughterhouses must be officially approved under the new Decision to do so and they must be located in one of the areas listed in columns 1 - 3 of Appendix 1 attached.
12. FBOs shall liaise with their plant Official Veterinarian (OV) to arrange the approval of the Slaughterhouse to allow them to export to EU Member States under the Scheme. Once the OV has confirmed that all the conditions are in place they will have to fax an approval letter to the International Animal Health Service Delivery Unit at Lincoln on Fax: 01522 545 014 to ensure that the plant is listed.
13. Appendix 3 provides the meat export conditions for official designation of slaughterhouses to be listed as eligible under the Slaughter for Export Scheme. FBO's with any queries on the process to be approved under the Scheme should contact their OV.
Meat Marking
14. All meat being traded must be marked appropriately. The guidance on meat marking provided in CIN 2007/140 remains up to date.
Further Enquiries
Enquiries about exports should be directed to your local Animal Health Division Office:
AHDO: Galashiels - Tel: 01896 758806 or Fax No: 01896 756803
AHDO: Inverness - Tel: 01463 253098 or Fax No: 01463 711495
AHDO: Ayr - Tel: 01292 291350 or Fax No: 01292 291351
AHDO: Inverurie - Tel: 01467 626300 or Fax No: 01467 626321
AHDO: Perth - Tel: 01738 602211 or Fax No: 01738 602240
www.scotland.gov.uk/footandmouth
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth/about-us/contact-us/animal-health-offices.htm
Contact point for enquiries: John Peerless (0131 244 6555, fax: 0131 244 6616) or (England and Wales - 020 7904 6000, fax: 020 7904 6428).
Animal Health Branch
APPENDIX 1
APPENDIX 2
APPENDIX 3
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