Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations, which apply to England and Wales only, come into force on 5th February 1988. They re-enact with amendments the Meat Inspection Regulations 1963, as amended.
The principal changes are—
the substitution in the definition of “animals” of the words “bovine animals (including buffalo)” and “solipeds” for the words “cattle” and “horses” respectively (regulation 2);
the relaxation of the restriction on removal of parts from a carcase so as to allow heads of sheep and goats and penises to be discarded, in specified circumstances, immediately after slaughter (regulation 8(3));
the replacement of Schedule 1 with a new Schedule which specifies in seven parts the requirements for inspections of carcases. Part I sets out the general instructions; Part II, III, IV, V and VI contain the detailed instructions for bovine animals over six weeks old, bovine animals under six weeks old, swine, sheep and goats, and solipeds, respectively; and Part VII contains the additional instructions where tuberculosis is suspected.
The Regulations—
require local authorities to inspect carcases of animals slaughtered for human consumption and enable them to control the times of slaughter (regulations 3 and 4);
prescribe the requirements as to prior notification to local authorities of intention to slaughter, as to dressing of carcases and as to notification to local authorities of any disease or unsoundness in a carcase (regulations 5, 6 and 7);
impose restrictions on the removal of carcases, blood and offal until passed as fit for human consumption and on the use of slaughterhouses in respect of animals not intended for human consumption (regulations 8 and 9);
make provision for the inspection of carcases, offal and blood and the marking of carcases (regulations 10, 11 and 12 and Schedules 1, 2 and 3);
make provision for charging by local authorities for meat inspections and for notices, assistance to inspectors and enforcement (regulations 15 to 17).