Packaging and sampling spoons for use in BSE and Scrapie sampling testing

Description

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) operates a TSE Surveillance Programme throughout the Republic of Ireland. One element of the programme involves the extraction and transportation of brain tissue matter from carcasses at knackeries and slaughter plants to a designated rapid testing laboratory (RTL) within the Republic of Ireland for post-mortem assessment. 1. In that regard the Contracting Authority requires a packaging solution for the storage and transportation of brain tissue matter assigned to UN No. 3373 Biological Substances, Category B conforming to the Packaging Instruction P650 for liquid substances from carcasses at knackeries and slaughter plants to a designated rapid testing laboratory. The absorbent material for inclusion within the secondary packaging must be capable of absorbing up to 600ml liquid. 2. Sampling Spoons for use in the extraction of brain tissue matter from carcasses at knackeries and slaughter plants are required. The spoons should be capable of transferring the brain tissue via the mouth of the sample pot without spillage. Currently separate designed spoons are used for BSE and Scrapie sampling. The Contracting Authority requires ONE supplier for all items.