§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the requirements upon retailers are for the intermediate handling and disposal of category 1 and category 3 animal by-products. [177398]
§ Mr. BradshawWe would not expect retailers to produce category 1 animal by-products such are specified risk material. Full requirements for handling and disposal of all animal by-products are set out in Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002.
1097WThe Regulation also sets out the standards that intermediate plants and processing or disposal operations must comply with and applies controls to the transport of animal by-products. These are listed in Annex III of the Regulation.
Among the requirements for a category 3 intermediate plant, it must have its own entrance, exit, should be capable of being washed and disinfected, and should have its own dedicated staff. It also lists the hygiene considerations to prevent cross-contamination with food intended for human consumption.
A guidance note on the requirements has been provided to the food industry which is available at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/by-prods/Former Foodstuffs/guidance_dispffs.pdf.