Language selection

Search

Annex Z: Compliance guideline for conditions relative to Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) controls applicable to meat products derived from ovine and caprine animals

1. Introduction

The purpose of this annex is to describe the minimum standards that establishments must meet when producing ovine or caprine meat products that would be eligible for export to, or transit in the United States.

In order to meet the current import conditions of the United States, which are summarized below, the operator will have to develop and implement procedures to assure complete segregation of meat produced according to the United States requirements to the satisfaction of the CFIA when both eligible and non eligible products are present on premises. The written segregation procedures should clearly outline the controls that will be implemented to ensure that applicable requirements are met so that eligible products can be distinguished from non eligible products at all times. The procedures must be acceptable to the inspector in charge and must include monitoring, verification and record keeping activities, deviation procedures and be auditable and effective.

2. Specific import requirements for meat products derived from ovine and caprine animals destined for human consumption

Only meat products derived from animals less than 12 months of age is eligible. Age determination is to be based on dentition. Ovine or caprine animals which have a permanent incisor erupted through the gum are considered to be 12 months of age or above and products derived there from are not eligible for export to the United States.

The requirements described below are designed to meet the following objectives:

2.1. Requirements for slaughtering operations

Operators must have a written procedure in place that will ensure appropriate segregation of eligible and non-eligible products. If the operator intends to slaughter both animals aged under 12 months and 12 months and above, the slaughter operations of ovines or caprines aged 12 months or above must be done at the end of the production day or on a separate day.

Operators are required to develop and implement written procedures to identify the carcasses of ovines or caprines aged 12 months and above, and to maintain the identity of these carcasses from the point at which the age is determined until the products are packaged and appropriately labelled or the carcass is removed from the area/plant.

These procedures must include the following:

2.2. Requirements for cutting/boning operations

Operators may choose to cut/bone only carcasses from animals under 12 months. In this case, they are required to develop and implement written receiving procedures insuring only carcasses from animals under 12 months are received and processed. All carcasses from animals 12 months and above or carcasses for which there is a doubt as to the age must be refused and immediately shipped out of the cutting/deboning area/plant.

Operators may also choose to cut/bone both carcasses from animals aged under 12 months and 12 months and above. In this case, they are required to develop and implement written procedures to identify the carcasses and cuts of ovines or caprines aged 12 months or older and to maintain the identity of the product issued from these carcasses. These procedures must include:

2.3. Requirements for other processing operations

Operators may choose to process only meat derived from animals under 12 months. In this case, they are required to develop and implement written receiving procedures insuring only boxes or meat from animals under 12 months are received and processed. All boxes of meat from animals 12 months and above or boxes for which there is a doubt as to the age must be refused and immediately shipped out of the processing area/plant.

Operators may also choose to process both meat from ovine or caprine animals aged under 12 months and 12 months and above.

In this case, they are required to develop and implement written procedures to identify the meat of ovines or caprines aged 12 months or older and to maintain the identity of the product issued from these carcasses. These procedures must include:

2.4. CFIA verification

CFIA inspection staff should routinely verify the accuracy and/or effectiveness of operator's implementation of control measures designed to meet the additional USDA requirements:

2.5. Transit of ovine or caprine meat products

Ovine or caprine meat products must meet all the APHIS VS, 9CFR 94.18 eligibility requirements for export to the United States. See requirements on applicable annex. Annex A-8 must be used.

These requirements described below concern over-land transit in the United States of meat products derived from ovine and caprine:

Date modified: