Billy Timmins
Question:75 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if it is his Department's policy that all sheep carcasses should be split; and if this is the practice countywide. [23283/98]
Written Answers. - Animal Slaughter.
The current legal position as regards the definition of specified risk material is set out in the Diseases of Animals (BSE) (Specified Risk Material) Order, 1998 (S.I. No. 144 of 1998). This Order states "that the skull, the brain, the eyes, the tonsils and spinal cord of a caprine or ovine animal which has a permanent incisor tooth erupted through the gum and the spleen of a caprine or ovine animal" are specified risk material. In effect this means that the spinal cord of sheep over twelve months of age must be removed and treated as specified risk material.
This order is being implemented by my Department at the plants for which it has responsibility. Implementation at domestic abattoirs is a matter for the local authorities.