Volume 5: Animal Health, 1989-96
Annex B to Chapter 4: Instructions to the Veterinary Field Service

Table 2: Slaughterhouse instructions

Date of Instruction	Source	Instructions
12 November 1990	Telex from Mr Baker	Instructions to all DVOs requesting information on handling of SBO in slaughterhouses from a recent visit or to arrange a one-off visit to obtain the information.
18 December 1990	Telex from Mr Crawford	Further request for all RVOs to submit information requested on 12 November 1990.
18 January 1991	Fax from Mr Crawford	Request to all RVOs for information provided following previous requests to be resubmitted on enclosed proformas by 25 February 1990.
15 April 1991	Letter from Mr Hutchins	Request to DVOs in divisions that recorded irregularities in previous returns to follow up with local authorities and report on the outcome.
17 April 1991	Fax from Mr Crawford	Request to all RVOs to arrange a further round of visits to slaughterhouses and to report on how SBO was handled to Mr Hutchins in previously agreed format by the end of May.
12 August 1991	AHC91/61	Request to all DVOs to arrange for occasional unannounced visits to slaughterhouses to ensure compliance with the Regulations, with follow-up visits where problems are identified. Local authorities also to be reminded of the sensitivity of the subject and of the need for their staff to ensure full observance of the Regulations. Deficiencies identified at visits to be notified in writing to the local authority and copied to Tolworth.
07 August 1992	AHC92/94	Advised all DVOs that the essential feature in effective control was to ensure that SBO was kept separate from other material at the slaughterhouse, and referred to AHC91/61. Movement licenses accompanying SBO were to be updated to include information about the origin of the raw material, and the information thereon was to be verified by spot checks (incorporated with regular visits if possible) at premises where SBO was produced.
18 January 1993	AHC93/6	Advised that from 1 January 1993, RMHAs were responsible for deciding the frequency of VO visits to slaughterhouses each year taking into account size, throughput, layout and standards of maintenance and hygiene. The minimum frequency of visits was every three months for full throughput slaughterhouses and yearly for low throughput. Unannounced visits could be made if considered necessary.
14 April 1993	AHC93/32	Issued new pro-forma MH6, which extended scope of the return to cover all aspects of SBO disposal - see also instructions for rendering plants and collection centres. Advised that staff should check compliance with SBO Regulations on routine visits and to make additional unannounced visits to ensure compliance. Follow-up visits to be made where problems identified and deficiencies to be notified in writing to local authorities.
01 February 1994	Fax from Mr Crawford	Instructed all RVOs that all plants processing SBO should receive an unannounced visit during February. A full and detailed report was to be provided to Mr Simmons, Tolworth, by 11 March. VOs should also be reminded of the need to review arrangements for the separation of SBO in abattoirs, with deficiencies brought to the attention of operators and a report submitted to Mr Simmons.
29 June 1994	AHC94/106	Updated MH6 issued. Each cattle slaughterhouse to receive unannounced visits by AHOs every two months to ensure compliance with SBO Regulations. SBO consignment weights to be compared to bovine kills and checks to be made to establish that SBO remains separate from other waste.
24 March 1995	AHC95/40 - Inset 25	MHS to take over responsibility for SBO control in slaughterhouses from 1 April 1995. DVOs to ensure visits to cattle slaughterhouses every two months in collaboration with MHS staff. Form MH6 to be returned to SVO at Tolworth detailing any deficiencies.
19 May 1995	AHC95/74	Announced the introduction of a period of national surveillance of all slaughterhouses and head-boning plants handling SBO. Every slaughterhouse handling SBO was to receive an unannounced visit by 23 June to monitor separation of SBO and the application of the new stain. For premises not adequately separating and staining SBO, a letter pointing out deficiencies and requiring remedial action was to be sent to the OVS. Such premises to receive a second unannounced visit about two weeks later. If there were still deficiencies, a further letter was to be sent to the OVS and MHS regional manager recommending prosecution.
19 June 1995	Circular letter 95/81	Required form MH4 to be sent to SVO (Protein Processing) at Tolworth by the second week of each month following the visit to the premises. Form MH6 to be sent to the SVO (Protein Processing) at Tolworth every second month.
12 July 1995	AHC95/101	Required that a weekly summary for all follow-up visits under AHC95/74 be sent to the SVO (Protein Processing) at Tolworth on the form provided. A retrospective return was required for premises already visited.
20 July 1995	Letter from Dr Cawthorne	Instructed that letters in respect of faults found at second visits to premises were to be sent to Mr Corrigan of the MHS and a copy to the MHS regional manager. Letters were not to be sent to the OVS or plant operator. Advised that third visits to premises with unsatisfactory results at second visit would take place, but arrangements were being finalised.
08 August 1995	AHC95/118	Advised that the SBO Order would come into force on 15 August 1995. Instructed that the attached copy of Inset 25A must be bought into use on that date. A new form (SBO9) was provided to be used as an individual work sheet for each routine visit, which would act as an input document for a new SBO function to be integrated into the VetNet system.
08 August 1995	AHC95/119	Advised that premises that recorded unsatisfactory results on second visit would receive further attention by senior MHS staff. Advised that SVS staff should contact MHS regional manager to ascertain outcome of MHS action since second visit. Required that outcome of MHS action, for each premises, be recorded on the form provided and sent to the SVO (Protein Processing) at Tolworth.
23 October 1995	AHC95/163	Advised that the period of special surveillance had ended and that all activities on SBO must take place in accordance with the instructions in Inset 25A.

Table 3: Rendering plants and collection centres - instructions  

Date of Instruction	Source	Instruction
12 November 1990	Telex from Mr Baker	Instruction to all DVOs requesting monthly visits to rendering plants, preferably by SAHO, to obtain information on SBO. Returns to be submitted monthly to Mr Hutchins at Tolworth.
18 December 1990	Fax from Mr Crawford	Reiterated 12 November 1990 instruction. Instructions to all RVOs requiring monthly visits to rendering plants, preferably by SAHO, to obtain information on SBO. Returns to be submitted monthly (via RVO) to Mr Hutchins at Tolworth.
13 February 1991	AHC91/9	Instructions that rendering plants and collection centres handling SBO to be visited that month. Returns to be submitted mid-February. Thereafter rendering plants and collection centres handling SBO to be visited once every two months. Returns to be submitted (via RVO) to Mr Hutchins at Tolworth. Pro-formas were supplied for standardisation of information.
01 March 1991	AHC91/14	Addendum to 91/9
07 August 1992	AHC92/94	Advised that a comparison between the weight of SBO raw material input and protein yield was a check that should be carried out from time to time. Protein yield should have been 25 per cent of the original weight, and any discrepancies justified follow-up action. The Renderers Code of Practice was also to be distributed by DVOs, and in regular visits, it was to be ensured that the Code was fully understood and applied by management and staff. Persistent failure to comply with the Code should be reported.
14 April 1993	AHC93/32	New pro-forma MH6, extending the scope of the return to cover all aspects of SBO disposal - see also instructions for slaughterhouses - to be filled out for visits every two months to the Renderers and collection centres handling SBO. Checks should be made of the compliance with the Renderers Code of Practice, and where compliance was not satisfactory, operators should be informed and advice given to assist with compliance. Checks should also be made of compliance with licenses issued under article 9 of the BSE Order 1991, and details of non-compliance and action taken by SVS staff noted on form MH5. Returns via RVO to SVO at Tolworth.
29 June 1994	AHC94/106 (replacing 92/94 and 93/32)	Introduced weight checks at rendering plants. Collection centres to be visited every two months to check on separation of SBO from other material in storage and whilst in transit. Rendering plants to be visited to monitor compliance with Code of Practice and to perform check on yield of SBO-derived protein. MH6 forms to be returned via RVO to SVO at Tolworth every two months.
26 September 1994	AHC94/146	Set out procedures for validation of rendering plants under Commission Decision 94/382/EC. Upon receipt of instructions from the SVO (Protein Processing) Tolworth, DVOs were to action the instructions in Inset 39C Section F. DVOs to arrange with owners and operators a date and time to visit and undertake validation. AHO staff would validate premises operating batch rendering equipment. The SVO (Protein Processing) and AHO staff would undertake validation for those using continuous rendering equipment. Advised that it was of vital importance that validation visits took place when the rendering plant was in full operation, and for continuous rendering equipment, when each cooker was operating at maximum flow rate.
24 March 1995	AHC95/40 - Inset 25	Rendering plants known to be processing SBO to be visited every two months to monitor compliance with Code of Practice and to perform checks on the yield of SBO-derived protein. Collection centres to be visited every two months to check on separation of SBO from other material in storage and whilst in transit. The records of movements of SBO onto the premises to be compared with records of SBO moving off the premises. Returns to be submitted via RVO to SVO at Tolworth.
23 June 1995	AHC95/97	Advised that all premises that processed ruminant protein had been subjected to validation in accordance with Commission Decision 94/382/EC, and that letters had been sent to plant operators setting out operating parameters to be met when processing ruminant material. Instructed SVS officers to check time and temperature records during quarterly visits to validated premises. If records were incomplete or indicated conditions not complying with the letter of validation, the SVS officer was to make enquiries as to reasons and action taken, and report to the SVO (Protein Processing) at Tolworth.
08 August 1995	AHC95/118	Advised that the SBO Order would come into force on 15 August 1995. Instructed that the attached copy of Inset 25A must be used from that date. In particular, noted that frequency of visits to rendering plants and collection centres had been increased to once monthly. The first visit under Inset 25A was to be carried out by a VO, who would train AHOs to continue the visit programme. DVOs were responsible for ensuring premises applied for approval under the Order. Routine visits to continue during the transitional period. New forms (SBO10 for collection centres and SBO12 for rendering plants) provided to record routine visit details, to be entered into VetNet system when up and running.
29 December 1995	AHC/95/193	Provided list of head-boning plants, collection centres and incineration plants approved to receive SBO under the SBO Order 1995.
03 March 1996	AHC96/35	Provided list of rendering plants authorised to receive SBO under the SBO Order 1995. Reminded staff that SBO was not to be rendered at any premises other than an approved rendering plant.

Table 4: Knacker's yards and hunt kennels - instructions

Date of Instruction	Source	Instruction
01 June 1990	Telex from Mr Crawford	Request for all RVOs to arrange a veterinary inspection of all knacker's yards and hunt kennels to ascertain the level of compliance with the MSSR 1982 and to check whether prescribed offals were used in production of pet food and/or used to feed hounds. Visits to be completed as soon as possible, and returns submitted to Mr Hutchins at Tolworth by 27 June 1990.
15 October 1990	Telex from Mr Crawford	Request that all RVOs explain to DVOs that staff must be vigilant to identify any signs that disposal of fallen animals from farms was becoming a problem. DVOs were to submit a monthly report on the situation.
18 December 1990	Fax from Mr Crawford	Instructions to all RVOs requesting continuance of monthly visits to knackers' yards and hunts kennels by a VO or AHO to report on removal of dead stock from farms, disposal of waste in general and SBO in particular. Monthly returns (via RVO) to Mr Hutchins at Tolworth.
13 February 1991	AHC91/9	Advised that monthly returns for knacker's yards and hunt kennels to continue.
26 July 1991	AHC91/55	Monthly visit to knacker's yards and hunt kennels, which could be carried out by AHOs, to continue. Pro-formas MH3 and MH4 circulated to record information for monthly returns, to be submitted (via RVO) to SVO at Tolworth.
09 December 1992	AHC92/147	Frequency of visits to knacker's yards and hunt kennels reduced from monthly to every two months from 1 January 1993. MH4 returns to be submitted (via RVO), to SVO at Tolworth, every second month.
24 March 1995	AHC94/40 - Inset 25	AHO should visit knacker's yards and hunt kennels once every month, at least 50 per cent of visits to be unannounced. Returns on SBO in the form of MH6 to be submitted every two months (via RVO) to SVO at Tolworth. MH4 form to be sent (via RVO) to SVO at Tolworth every month following visit.
08 August 1995	AHC95/118	Advised that SBO Order would come into force on 15 August 1995. Instructed that the attached Inset 25A must be used from that date. First visits made under the Inset to be carried out by a VO, who would train AHOs to continue the visit programme.New form SBO11 to be used to record details of routine visits, which would be inputted into the VetNet system when it was up and running.