Statutory Instrument 1987 No. 2236

The Meat Inspection Regulations 1987

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© Crown Copyright 1987

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1987 No. 2236

FOOD
FOOD HYGIENE

The Meat Inspection Regulations 1987

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Secretary of State for Social Services and the Secretary of State for Wales, acting jointly, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 13 and 118 of the Food Act 1984^[1] and of all other powers enabling them in that behalf, after consultation in accordance with section 118(6) of the said Act with such organisations as appear to them to be representative of interests substantially affected by the Regulations, hereby make the following Regulations:

Title and commencement
    1.    These Regulations may be cited as the Meat Inspection Regulations 1987, and shall come into force on 5th February 1988.

Interpretation
    2.—(1)  In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—
"animals" means bovine animals (including buffalo), swine, sheep, goats and solipeds;
"blood" means blood derived from an animal;
"carcase" means the body of a dead animal;
"examine in detail" means examine by making multiple deep incisions;
"inspector" means a person authorised or deemed to be authorised under the Food Act 1984 to act in relation to the examination and seizure of meat;
"local authority" means—
 (a) as respects the City of London, the Common Council; and
 (b) as respects any district or London borough, the council of the district or borough;
"offal" means any part of a dead animal removed from the carcase in the process of dressing it, but does not include the hide or skin;
"slaughterhouse" means a place for slaughtering animals, the flesh of which is intended for sale for human consumption, and includes any place available in connection therewith for the confinement of animals while awaiting slaughter there or for keeping, or subjecting to any treatment or process, products of the slaughtering of animals there, but does not include any place available in connection with a slaughterhouse and used solely for the manufacture of bacon, ham, sausage, meat pies or other manufactured meat products or for the storage of meat used in such manufacture.


    (2)  Except in so far as the context otherwise requires, any reference in these Regulations to a numbered regulation or Schedule shall be construed as a reference to the regulation or Schedule bearing that number in these Regulations.

    (3)  Nothing in these Regulations shall be construed as derogating from the provisions of the Animal Health Act 1981^[2] or of any order made thereunder.

Duty of inspection
    3.    Subject to the provisions of this regulation, every local authority shall arrange for the inspection by an inspector in accordance with these Regulations of—
 (a) the carcase of every animal slaughtered within their district for sale for human consumption not being a carcase which is removed from their district pursuant to the proviso to regulation 8(2);
 (b) every carcase removed to a place within their district pursuant to the proviso to regulation 8(2).

Control of times of slaughter
    4.—(1)  Subject to the provisions of this regulation, a local authority within whose district a private slaughterhouse is situated may—
 (a) determine the days on which, and the hours in those days between which, animals may be slaughtered in that slaughterhouse; and
 (b) vary the days and hours so determined.

    (2)  In determining, or varying, the times of slaughter at a slaughterhouse the local authority shall have regard to—
 (a) the nature and extent of the business carried on at that slaughterhouse;
 (b) the need to avoid demands on local authority manpower which are disproportionate to the size of the business conducted at that slaughterhouse;
 (c) the need to secure adequate meat inspection for the purposes of these Regulations or the need to secure adequate meat inspection and supervision for the purposes of the Fresh Meat Export (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1987^[3], as appropriate;
 (d) the need to provide for continuous meat inspection for the purposes of these Regulations where this is necessary to maintain the flow of production and to avoid disruption of essential trade requirements;
 (e) the fluctuating needs of the market; and
 (f) the perishable nature of meat.

    (3)  Before determining or varying the times of slaughter at a slaughterhouse the local authority shall consult the occupier of that slaughterhouse and any other person who slaughters animals there with the occupier's consent.

    (4)  The local authority shall give written notice of any determination or variation of the times of slaughter at a slaughterhouse to the occupier of that slaughterhouse, and to any other person who has been consulted in accordance with paragraph (3) of this regulation.

    (5)  Any such determination or variation shall have effect at the expiration of one month beginning with the date of the said notice unless an objection is made under paragraph (6) of this regulation before the determination or variation to which it relates has come into effect.

    (6)  A person who has been given notice in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (4) of this regulation may make objection to the local authority in writing that in determining or varying the times of slaughter at a slaughterhouse the local authority have not had proper regard to the factors set out in paragraph (2) of this regulation or that due to a change of circumstance the local authority should vary in accordance with those factors the times of slaughter previously determined or varied by them, whereupon the local authority shall reconsider the determination or variation having regard to those factors.

    (7)  The local authority shall give written notice of any further determination or variation or, where there is none, of their decision to maintain their previous determination or variation to the occupier of the slaughterhouse concerned, and to any other person who slaughters animals there with the occupier's consent.

    (8)  Any such further determination or variation or any such decision shall not have effect before the expiration of 21 days beginning with the date of the said notice and, where an appeal is made to a Magistrates' Court under paragraph (9) of this regulation before the further determination or variation or decision to which it relates has come into effect, that further determination or variation or decision shall continue not to have effect until the expiration of fourteen days beginning with the date of the dismissal by the Magistrates' Court of that appeal.

    (9)  A person who has been given notice in accordance with paragraph (7) of this regulation may appeal to a Magistrates' Court on the ground that in determining or varying, or in refusing to vary, the times of slaughter at a slaughterhouse, the local authority have not had proper regard to the factors set out in paragraph (2) of this regulation.

    (10)  Subject to paragraph (11) of this regulation, no person shall slaughter or cause to be slaughtered without the previous consent of the local authority any animal in any slaughterhouse for which times of slaughter have for the time being been determined under this regulation at any time other than during the days and hours so determined.

    (11)  The provisions of paragraph (10) of this regulation shall not apply in relation to any animal whose immediate slaughter is necessary by reason of accidental injury, illness, exposure to infection or other emergency affecting that animal or by reason of the provisions of regulation 18 of the Slaughter of Animals (Prevention of Cruelty) Regulations 1958^[4].

Notice of slaughter
    5.—(1)  Subject to the provisions of these Regulations, no person shall slaughter, or cause to be slaughtered, any animal for sale for human consumption unless he has not less than 24 hours before the time of slaughter informed the local authority within whose district the place of slaughter is situated of the day and time and of the place on and at which the slaughter will take place:
Provided that—
 (a) where it is the regular practice in any slaughterhouse to slaughter animals at fixed times on fixed days and written notice of this practice has been given to the local authority this shall as respects any animal slaughtered in accordance with such practice be regarded as adequate compliance with the foregoing requirement if and so long as the local authority give their approval;
 (b) where by reason of accidental injury, illness, exposure to infection or other emergency affecting that animal or by reason of the provisions of regulation 18 of the Slaughter of Animals (Prevention of Cruelty) Regulations 1958, it is necessary that an animal should be slaughtered without delay, the provisions of this regulation shall be deemed to be satisfied if the local authority is informed of the slaughter as soon as reasonably possible, whether before or after the slaughter takes place.

    (2)  This regulation shall not apply in any case where an animal is slaughtered in a slaughterhouse under the management of a local authority or a joint board constituted under the Public Health Act 1936^[5].

Dressing of carcases
    6.—(1)  Every person who slaughters, or causes to be slaughtered, in a slaughterhouse any animal for sale for human consumption shall ensure that the carcase is dressed immediately after the animal has been slaughtered and that the provisions of paragraph (2) of this regulation are complied with.

    (2)  The carcase shall be dressed and treated in such a manner as not to prevent or hinder inspection in accordance with these Regulations and in particular—
 (a) where back bleeding ensues upon the slaughter of an animal the pleura shall not be completely detached from the carcase until an inspector authorises the removal of the pleura;
 (b) no action shall be taken which might alter or destroy any evidence of disease except on the instructions of an inspector;
 (c) subject to the provisions of regulation 8(3), the offal, other than the feet of any animal, shall after removal from the carcase, be so kept as to remain readily indentifiable with the carcase until that carcase has been inspected by an inspector; and the feet of any animal shall be kept available for inspection in the slaughterhouse until an inspector authorises their removal;
 (d) any blood intended for human consumption shall be collected and placed in a clean receptacle provided for that purpose and shall be so kept as to remain readily identifiable with the carcases from which it was collected until these carcases have been inspected by an inspector.

Notification of disease or unsoundness
    7.—(1)  Where on the slaughter of any animal for sale for human consumption it appears that any part of the carcase is or may be diseased or unsound, the person by whom or on whose behalf the animal was slaughtered shall forthwith inform the local authority of that fact.

    (2)  This regulation shall not apply in any case where an animal is slaughtered in a slaughterhouse under the management of a local authority or a joint board constituted under the Public Health Act 1936.

Restriction on removal of carcases
    8.—(1)  Subject to the provisions of this regulation, no person shall remove, or cause or permit to be removed, from a slaughterhouse any blood intended for human consumption or any carcase or part of a carcase or any offal until it has been inspected in accordance with these Regulations and, in the case of any carcase or part of a carcase which has been so inspected and passed as fit for human consumption by an inspector, until it has been marked in accordance with regulation 11.

    (2)  Subject to the provisions of this regulation, where by reason of accidental injury, illness, exposure to infection or other emergency affecting any animal, that animal has been slaughtered for sale for human consumption in any place other than a slaughterhouse, no person shall remove, or cause to be removed, from the place of slaughter the carcase of that animal or any part thereof or any offal removed therefrom, or any blood collected from that carcase and intended for human consumption, until it has been inspected in accordance with these Regulations and, in the case of any carcase or part of a carcase which has been so inspected and passed as fit for human consumption by an inspector, until it has been marked in accordance with regulation 11:
Provided that where any animal to which this paragraph applies has been slaughtered in a place which is unsuitable for retaining a carcase, the carcase may be removed to some convenient place for inspection in accordance with these Regulations, but the information required to be given under regulation 5 shall be given to the local authority in whose district that place of inspection is situated and regulation 5 and this paragraph shall have effect as if that place were substituted for the place of slaughter.


    (3)  The following parts of a carcase shall be discarded immediately after slaughter—
 (a) in the case of sheep and goats, the head (including the tongue and brains), if it is not intended for human consumption;
 (b) the penis, if an inspector is satisfied that it shows no pathological symptom or lesion.

Restriction on the use of a slaughterhouse
    9.    No person shall use, or cause to be used, a slaughterhouse for the slaughter of any animal not intended for human consumption, or the dressing of the carcase of any such animal.

Inspection of meat
    10.—(1)  Every inspection made in pursuance of regulation 3 shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 1 and, so far as is practicable, shall be made while the carcase is being dressed.

    (2)  In determining whether he is satisfied that any carcase, part of a carcase, or any offal or blood is fit for human consumption the inspector shall have regard to the provisions of Schedule 2.

    (3)  For the purpose of such an inspection of the carcase, offal or blood of any animal, the inspector may, if he thinks fit, require specimens from that carcase, offal or blood to be submitted for laboratory examination.

Marking of carcases
    11.—(1)  Where after inspection in accordance with these Regulations an inspector is satisfied that a carcase or part of a carcase is fit for human consumption, he shall mark that carcase or, as the case may be, that part of the carcase, with a mark of the kind, and in the appropriate manner, described in Schedule 3:
Provided that in every case where the inspector is not so satisfied in relation to any part of a carcase he shall not mark any part of that carcase until the part in relation to which he is not satisfied has been removed.


    (2)  No person other than an inspector shall in relation to any carcase or part of a carcase make use of any mark of the kind described in Schedule 3.

    (3)  No person shall make use of any mark so resembling a mark used by an inspector in accordance with these Regulations as to be calculated to deceive.

Notification to local authority and marking of certain meat placed in cold storage
    12.—(1)  Every person who causes any part of a carcase or any offal to be placed in cold storage for the purposes of paragraph 7(b) of Schedule 2 shall, at the same time as he causes it to be so placed, give notice to the local authority within whose district the cold store is situated, in such form as the local authority may require, of the date of the placing and the period for which it is intended that the part of a carcase or offal, as the case may be, will remain in cold storage.

    (2)  Where an inspector is satisfied that the said part of a carcase is fit for human consumption, he shall mark it in accordance with the last foregoing regulation.

Charges by local authorities for meat inspection
    13.—(1)  Subject to paragraph (4) of this regulation, a local authority may make charges, of such amounts as they may from time to time determine in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (2) or (3) of this regulation, in respect of meat inspections carried out by them in pursuance of regulation 3.

    (2)  A local authority which intend to make charges, or to increase the amounts of any existing charges, shall—
 (a) calculate on the basis of the permitted cost factors set out in Schedule 4 the amounts of their charges;
 (b) consult the occupier of any slaughterhouse affected by those charges about the amounts which the local authority propose to charge, the number of persons whom they propose to employ in carrying out the inspections to which those charges relate and the hours during which those persons are intended to be engaged on those inspections;
 (c) supply to any person consulted by them in accordance with sub-paragraph (b) of this paragraph, on his request made in writing within fourteen days of the day on which he was consulted, details of the calculations used to decide the amounts of the proposed charges;
 (d) consider any representations made to them by, or on behalf of, any person whom they have consulted and, having regard thereto, determine the amounts of their charges; and
 (e) notify such amounts to all persons consulted in accordance with sub-paragraph (b) of this paragraph at least fourteen days before the day on which the charges are to take effect.

    (3)  A local authority which intend to reduce the amounts of any existing charges shall—
 (a) determine the amounts which, on the basis of the permitted cost factors set out in Schedule 4, are to be charged;
 (b) notify the occupier of any slaughterhouse affected by those charges of the amounts of their charges, the number of persons whom they propose to employ in carrying out the inspections to which those charges relate and the hours during which those persons are intended to be engaged on those inspections; and
 (c) supply to any person so notified, on his request in writing made within seven days of the day on which he was notified, details of the calculations used to determine the amounts of the charges.

    (4)  A local authority shall not apply any charge unless the requirements of paragraph (2) or (3) of this regulation have been complied with in respect of that charge.

    (5)  In this regulation and in Schedule 4 "occupier" includes, in relation to a public slaughterhouse, any person who slaughters animals there with the consent of the local authority which provides that slaughterhouse.

    14.—(1)  Any charge made by a local authority by virtue of the last foregoing regulation shall be payable—
 (a) in respect of any animal slaughtered in a slaughterhouse other than a public slaughterhouse, by the person for the time being licensed in respect of that slaughterhouse under Part I of the Slaughterhouses Act 1974^[6];
 (b) in respect of any animal slaughtered in a public slaughterhouse, by the person on whose behalf the animal is slaughtered;
 (c) in any other case, by the person who informs the local authority of the slaughter in accordance with regulation 5.

    (2)  Any charge due to a local authority by virtue of this and the last foregoing regulation shall be recoverable by them summarily as a civil debt.

Notification to local authority
    15.—(1)  Any information or notice required to be given under regulation 5, 7 or 12 shall be given to the local authority at such address as that authority may direct or, in default of any such direction, at the office of the Chief Environmental Health Officer.

    (2)  Such information may be given orally. If given in writing, such information or notice may be given by post.

Responsibility, and assistance to inspectors
    16.    Every person who slaughters, or causes to be slaughtered, any animal for sale for human consumption—
 (a) shall take all practicable steps to secure compliance by any person employed by him with the provisions of regulations, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12; and
 (b) shall ensure that any inspector is given such reasonable assistance as he may from time to time require for the purposes of these Regulations.

Penalties and enforcement
    17.—(1)  If any person contravenes or fails to comply with any of the foregoing provisions of these Regulations he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—
 (a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £2,000; and
 (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.

    (2)  Each local authority shall execute and enforce such provisions in their district.

Revocations
    18.—(1)  The Regulations specified in Schedule 5 are hereby revoked.

    (2)  The reference to the Meat Inspection Regulations 1963^[7] in Schedule 2 to the Food (Revision of Penalties) Regulations 1982^[8] and in Part II of the Schedule to the Food (Revision of Penalties) Regulations 1985^[9] shall be omitted.

In witness whereof the Official Seal of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is hereunto affixed on
10th December 1987.


John MacGregor

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food


John Moore

Secretary of State for Social Services

10th December 1987

Peter Walker

Secretary of State for Wales

10th December 1987

[1] 1984 c. 30. back

[2] 1981 c. 22. back

[3] S.I. 1987/2237. back

[4] S.I. 1958/2166, to which there is an amendment not relevant to these Regulations. back

[5] 1936 c. 49. back

[6] 1974 c. 3. back

[7] S.I. 1963/1229. back

[8] S.I. 1982/1727. back

[9] S.I. 1985/67. back

Explanatory Note