OpenLegislation

Division 2.3 Details on carcase sampling by surface swabs-sampling

United Kingdom

Original text. Later amendments are not shown.

Sampling of the carcase shall be performed after evisceration and before chilling. A surface of about 100 cm2 per site shall be swabbed using one single abrasive sponge for all the following sites as indicated and numbered below in accordance with Annex A of standard ISO 17604:

  • hind limb, medial (9),

  • abdomen, lateral (belly, 3),

  • mid-dorsal region (mid-back, 4),

  • jowl (7).

Two sites shall be swabbed with one side of the sponge, which shall then be turned over for the remaining two sites, and a scrubbing action shall be used. Enough pressure shall be used to push the lower part of the carcase slightly (2 to 5 mm) away from the sampler. The sponge shall be wiped over each sampling site for a total of approximately 10 times in the vertical and 10 times in the horizontal direction. If templates are used, precautions shall be taken to avoid cross-contamination between carcases.

The sample shall be kept at max. 7 °C during storage and transportation. The plastic bag is marked with the date, time, slaughterhouse identification and sample identification code.