PURPOSE : to lay down rules on the effective surveillance of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.
COMMUNITY MEASURE : Regulation 999/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE).
CONTENT : these rules apply to the production and placing on the market of live animals and products of animal origin, with certain exceptions such as cosmetic products. There are the following provisions:
- safeguard measures to be taken by the Commission in cases where a risk from TSE has not been adequately addressed by the competent authority of a Member State or third country.
- a procedure to establish the BSE status of a Member State, a third country and of one of their regions
- education programmes for those involved in the prevention and control of TSE.
- each Member State is to carry out an annual programme for monitoring BSE and scrapie, which includes a screening process using rapid tests.
- the feeding to ruminants of proteins derived from mammals is prohibited.
- Some ruminant tissues classed as specified risk material which is more fully defined in the regulation, must be removed and destroyed in accordance with its provisions.
- Member States must ensure that any animal suspected of being infected by a TSE is notified immediately to the competent authorities.
- the regulation lays down certain measures which must be taken with regard to suspect animals. They are to be placed under an official movement restriction until the results of tests are known, or killed for laboratory examination under official control.
- there are measures laid down following confirmation of the presence of a TSE.
- Member states have to establish contingency plans specifying national measures to be implemented in case of TSE.
- there are further provisions on live animals, their semen, embryos and ova, and placing on the market of products of animal origin.
- Experts from the commission may make on the spot checks in cooperation with the competent authorities of the Member States.
DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE : 1 July 2001.�