Explanatory note

These Regulations replace the provisions of the Beef (Emergency Control) Order (Northern Ireland) 1996 (S.R. 1996 No. 132), as amended, by prohibiting the sale for human consumption of meat derived from bovine animals slaughtered on or after 29th March 1996 and which, at the time of slaughter, were more than 2½ years of age (regulation 3(1)).

Meat from bovine animals which were born, reared and slaughtered in any of the countries listed in Schedule 2 is exempt from the prohibition on sale. An exemption also exists for meat from bovine animals which belonged to a herd registered under the Beef Assurance Scheme (regulation 3(3)).

The operating rules of the Beef Assurance Scheme are set out in Part III of the Regulations and Schedule 1.