Legalize / United Kingdom / Northern Ireland / Ni-Statutory-Rule

Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997

Type Ni-Statutory-Rule

Publication 1997-11-13

State In force

Jurisdiction Northern Ireland

Department Government Printer for Northern Ireland

Source legislation.gov.uk

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articles Not indexed

Reform history JSON API

(iii) stomachs and intestines are opened and cleaned in the slaughterhall at times when no slaughtering is taking place;

(f) a suitable and sufficient room for the dressing of guts and tripe if this is carried out in the slaughterhouse; save that where a room is provided in accordance with sub-paragraph (e) for the emptying and cleaning of stomachs and intestines, that room shall also be regarded as suitable and sufficient for the dressing of guts and tripe provided such dressing can be carried out in a manner avoiding cross-contamination;

(g) a room of sufficient capacity in relation to the size and type of animals slaughtered with a separate area for the storage of detained carcases, except in cases where such carcases are dispatched immediately under the responsibility of the OVS to a specialist establishment for additional examinations; such room to be refrigerated so as to enable the requirements of paragraph 1(q) of Schedule 9 to be complied with and to be provided with a drainage system which avoids risk of contamination of fresh meat;

(h) a suitable and sufficient room or place for the wrapping or packaging of offal if this is done in the slaughterhouse during slaughtering operations, save that preparation, clearing, wrapping and packaging of offal may take place in the same room provided the requirements of paragraph 2 of Part II of Schedule 13 are observed;

(i) a suitable and sufficient room or place for the preparation and clearing of offal if this is done in the slaughterhouse during slaughtering operations;

(j) suitable facilities for the storage under hygienic conditions of wrapping and packaging material where offal is wrapped or packaged in the slaughterhouse;

(k) a suitable and sufficient leakproof facility for the storage of hides and skins unless they are to be collected and taken away daily;

(l) a suitable and sufficient room or rooms for the storage of horns, hooves, fat and other waste material unless these are to be collected and taken away daily; save that where facilities are provided in accordance with sub-paragraph (k) for the storage of hides and skins, those facilities shall also be regarded as suitable and sufficient for the storage of horns, hooves, fat and other waste material;

(m) a manure bay, save that, where sheep are slaughtered, a manure pit may be used if manure is stored within the boundary of the premises and the receptacles referred to in paragraph 1(f) of Part I of this Schedule are insufficient for holding such material; (such a bay or pit to have impervious walls and floors and be drained into suitable outlets); and

(n) a means of introduction of the body of an animal which is diseased or injured or suspected of being diseased or injured into the slaughterhall in a manner which will not prejudice the hygienic operation of the slaughterhouse, save that such a means of introduction shall not be required if—

(i) the diseased or injured animal is slaughtered after completion of the slaughter of animals which are not diseased or injured or suspected of being diseased or injured and steps are taken to prevent contamination of fresh meat; and

(ii) the premises are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected under the supervision of a Meat Inspector or an OVS before being used again for the slaughtering of animals which are not diseased or injured or suspected of being diseased or injured.

SCHEDULE 6 — Operation and Construction of Farmed Game Handling Facilities and Farmed Game Processing Facilities

Part I — General Requirements Applicable to Farmed Game Handling Facilities

1

The occupier of every farmed game handling facility shall ensure that—

(a) farmed game intended for slaughter there undergoes adequate veterinary inspection;

(b) the Department is informed at least 72 hours in advance of the date and time on which farmed game is to be slaughtered in such premises;

(c) the premises have a suitable place for gathering farmed game where ante-mortem health inspections can be carried out;

(d) the premises have suitable and sufficient accommodation, facilities and equipment for the slaughter of farmed game and for the bleeding and handling of the bodies of such animals;

(e) farmed game animals are subjected to ante-mortem health inspection in accordance with regulation 14(1)(b) not more than 72 hours prior to slaughter;

(f) after shooting or stunning, the bodies of farmed game animals are bled in an approved manner;

(g) the bodies of slaughtered farmed game are hung as quickly as possible after bleeding and are transported as soon as practicable under satisfactory hygiene conditions to a slaughterhouse or farmed game processing facility for the purpose of dressing and post-mortem inspection; and are accompanied during transport to the slaughterhouse by the certificate referred to in Schedule 20; and if the bodies of slaughtered farmed game cannot be transported so as to reach the slaughterhouse or farmed game processing facility within one hour of slaughter, they are transported there in a container or vehicle in which the ambient temperature is maintained at between 0°C and +4°C;

(h) the equipment used for the slaughter and bleeding of farmed game is of a durable, impermeable and corrosion-resistant material not liable to taint the meat;

(i) the equipment referred to in sub-paragraph (h) is cleaned and disinfected in accordance with paragraph 3(d) of Part I of Schedule 7; and

(j) ensure that all equipment and implements which come into contact with farmed game are kept in a good state of repair and all fixtures, fittings and equipment are kept clean.

Part II — General Requirements applicable to Farmed Game Processing Facilities

1

The farmed game processing facility shall have—

(a) a clearly defined boundary with means of controlling access to and from the premises;

(b) at places readily accessible to the work stations and sanitary conveniences, suitable facilities, that is to say—

(i) an adequate supply (provided otherwise than by taps operable by hand or arm) of hot and cold running water, or pre-mixed running water at a suitable temperature, and sufficient supplies of soap or other detergent for the clearing and disinfection of hands by persons handling fresh meat; and

(ii) an hygienic means of drying hands;

(c) in rooms where work on farmed game meat is undertaken, suitable and sufficient facilities, situated as close as possible to or readily accessible to the work stations, for the disinfection of knives and other hand tools, such facilities to be adequately supplied with water which shall be maintained at a temperature of not less than +82°C;

(d) adequate space and facilities for the efficient performance at any time of inspections required by these Regulations;

(e) equipment and fittings—

(i) of a durable, impermeable and corrosion-resistant material (not being made of wood) not liable to taint meat and of such construction as to enable them to be kept clean and disinfected; and

(ii) if to be used for handling, storing or transporting farmed game meat to be so constructed that farmed game meat and the base of any receptacles containing such meat do not come into contact with the floor; the surfaces of any equipment and fittings which are likely to come into contact with unpackaged farmed game meat to be kept smooth;

(f) facilities for the hygienic handling and protection of farmed game meat during loading and unloading;

(g) suitable and sufficient receptacles with closely fitting covers for collecting and removing all waste and farmed game meat not intended for human consumption;

(h) suitable refrigeration equipment to enable the internal temperature of farmed game meat to be maintained at not more than +7°C for carcases and cuts, +3°C for offal and −12°C for frozen farmed game meat, such equipment to have a drainage system which avoids risk of contamination of farmed game meat;

(i) a suitable and sufficiently large refrigerated room or rooms for the cooling and storage of farmed game meat, equipped with corrosion-resistant fittings which prevent such meat from coming into contact with the floors and walls; where a refrigerated room is used to store farmed game meat already cooled, it shall also have a recording thermometer or recording telethermometer;

(j) water, that is to say—

(i) a sufficient, clean and wholesome supply of hot and cold potable water, or potable water premixed to a suitable temperature available at an adequate pressure;

(ii) the separation of any water so that it may be used only for the purpose of fire fighting or the operation of refrigerators or steam boilers, and so that pipes carrying such water shall be arranged so as not to allow any such water to be used for any other purpose; and that all such pipes shall clearly be distinguished from those used for water which is clean and wholesome and shall present no risk of contamination to farmed game meat; and

(iii) if water is stored, fully covered tanks to contain it which tanks shall be of such construction as to enable them to be emptied and kept clean;

(k) satisfactory drainage, fitted with gratings and traps for solids, which shall be maintained in proper working order; save that, in rooms provided for the cooling or storage of farmed game meat, gratings and traps shall not be required;

(l) an arrangement of rooms so that—

(i) there are suitable, sufficient and adequately equipped rooms for persons working in the premises to change their clothes, and sanitary conveniences, separate from any part of the premises which at any time contain farmed game meat;

(ii) clean protective clothing is stored separately from other clothing;

(iii) surfaces of the walls and floors of such rooms are smooth, washable and impermeable; and

(iv) any room in which a sanitary convenience is situated shall not communicate directly with any room or area in which any farmed game meat is being produced, cut up, handled, worked on or stored or in any such room as is referred to in sub-paragraph (s);

(m) sufficient and adequately equipped showers which are for the use of persons working in the premises and are situated near the rooms where such persons may change their clothes;

(n) suitable facilities for the storage of detergents, disinfectants and similar substances;

(o) adequate protection against the entry of insects, vermin and birds;

(p) a suitable and sufficient room for the dressing of carcases of farmed game;

(q) a suitable system of overhead rails for the hygienic dressing and further handling of carcases; save that such a system shall not be required for the dressing of carcases where such a process can be carried out hygienically in a cradle or other equipment suitable for this purpose;

(r) suitable and sufficient facilities, capable of being securely locked, for the isolation of farmed game meat requiring further examination by an OVS or inspector; such facilities to be refrigerated so as to enable the requirements of paragraph 1(q) of Schedule 9 to be complied with and to be provided with a drainage system which avoids risk of contamination of farmed game meat;

(s) separate room or rooms capable of being securely locked for the retention of farmed game meat rejected as being unfit for human consumption, unless—

(i) such meat is removed or destroyed as often as may be necessary, and in any case at least once daily, and the quantity of such meat is not sufficient to require the provision of a separate room or rooms;

(ii) suitable, sufficient receptacles with closely fitting covers shall be provided which are capable of being securely locked and which shall be used only for holding farmed game meat rejected as being unfit for human consumption and are clearly marked to that effect; and

(iii) any chutes or receptacles used to transport such meat are so constructed and installed and maintained as to avoid risk of contamination of farmed game meat intended for human consumption;

(t) a suitable and sufficient room and facilities for the emptying and cleaning of stomachs and intestines; save that such a room and facilities shall not be required if—

(i) stomachs and intestines are removed unopened from the dressing room immediately after the post-mortem inspection and taken to the room or receptacles referred to in sub-paragraph (s); or

(ii) the closed-circuit mechanical equipment referred to in paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 is provided;

(u) a suitable and sufficient room for the dressing of guts and tripe if this is carried out in the premises; save that where a room is provided in accordance with sub-paragraph (t) for the emptying and cleaning of stomachs and intestines, that room shall also be regarded as suitable and sufficient for the dressing of guts and tripe provided such dressing can be carried out in a manner avoiding cross-contamination;

(v) a suitable and sufficient room for the preparation and cleaning of offal (other than the emptying and cleaning of stomachs and intestines and the dressing of guts and tripe) and which includes a separate area for handling heads at a sufficient distance from other offal, if these operations are carried out in the premises other than on the dressing line;

(w) a suitable and sufficient room or place for the packaging of offal if this is done in the premises; save that preparation, cleaning, wrapping and packaging of offal may take place in the same room provided the requirements of paragraph 2 of Part II of Schedule 13 are observed;

(x) a suitable room for the storage under hygienic conditions of wrapping and packaging material where offal is wrapped or packaged in the premises;

(y) a suitable and sufficient room for the storage of hides and skins unless they are to be collected and taken away daily;

(z) a suitable and sufficient room or rooms for the storage of antlers, hooves, fat and other waste material unless these are to be collected and taken away daily; save that where a room is provided in accordance with sub-paragraph (y) for the storage of hides and skins, that room shall also be regarded as suitable and sufficient for the storage of antlers, hooves, fat and other waste material;

(aa) an OVS room;

(bb) if the bodies of slaughtered farmed game are received from other premises, a suitable and separate place (which may be situated outside the boundary of the premises), and adequate equipment, for clearing and disinfecting vehicles used for transporting the bodies of slaughtered farmed game;

(cc) a suitable and separate place (which may be situated outside the boundary of the premises) and adequate equipment, for clearing and disinfecting vehicles used for the transport of farmed game meat;

(dd) satisfactory and hygienic facilities for the disposal of solid and liquid waste;

(ee) a clear separation between the soiled and clean working areas of the building so as to protect the clean areas from contamination; and

(ff) a room suitably equipped for carrying out an examination for trichinellosis where such examination is carried out in the premises.

2

Every room in which farmed game meat is produced, worked on, handled or stored and any area through which farmed game meat is transported shall have—

(a) floors and floor surfaces of impermeable, rot proof non-slip and durable material, which shall be so constructed and kept in such good order, repair and condition as to enable them to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected; (such floors shall be laid in such a way as to facilitate the drainage of waste water);

(b) interior wall surfaces faced with a smooth, durable, impermeable and washable material (which shall be of a light colour) to the following heights—

(i) in any of the rooms referred to in sub-paragraphs 1(p), (r), (s), (t), (u) and (v) above up to a height of not less than 3 metres or the full height of the room whichever is lower;

(ii) in any rooms used for the cooling or storage of farmed game meat, up to a height of not less than the usable storage height; or

(iii) in any other room in which unpackaged farmed game meat is handled, up to a height of not less than 2 metres;

(c) rounded angles between floor and wall surfaces; save that in rooms of any premises in which only frozen farmed game meat is stored such angles need not be rounded;

(d) doors and door frames of a hard wearing, corrosion-resistant material or, if made of wood, with a smooth, impermeable covering on all surfaces;

(e) a ceiling, or, where there is no ceiling the interior surfaces of the roof, which is so constructed and finished so as to minimalise condensation, mould development, flaking and the lodgement of dirt, and to be kept in such good order, repair and condition as to enable it to be thoroughly cleaned;

(f) insulation materials which are rot proof and odourless;

(g) suitable and sufficient means of ventilation to the external air (except in the case of a humidity-controlled or temperature controlled chamber) including, where necessary, adequate means of steam extraction; (all ventilation systems shall at all times be kept in good working order); and

(h) adequate artificial lighting throughout the workrooms (which lighting shall not distort colours and shall be of an overall intensity of not less than 220 lux; save that at places where inspection of farmed game meat is normally carried out the overall intensity shall be not less than 540 lux).

3

The occupier of every farmed game processing facility shall ensure that the requirements of Schedule 7 are observed.

Part III — General Requirements applicable to Low Throughput Farmed Game Processing Facilities

1

All low throughput farmed game processing facilities shall have—

(a) a clearly defined boundary;

(b) at places readily accessible to the work stations and sanitary conveniences, suitable facilities, that is to say—

(i) an adequate supply of hot and cold running water, or pre-mixed running water at a suitable temperature, and sufficient supplies of soap or other detergent for the cleaning and disinfection of hands by persons handling fresh meat; and

(ii) an hygienic means of drying hands;

(c) in rooms where work on farmed game meat is undertaken, suitable and sufficient facilities, situated as close as possible to or readily accessible to the work stations, for the disinfection of knives and other hand tools, such facilities to be adequately supplied with water which shall be maintained at a temperature of not less than +82°C;

(d) adequate space and facilities for the efficient performance at any time of inspections required by these Regulations;

(e) equipment and fittings—

(i) of a durable, impermeable and corrosion-resistant material (not being made of wood) not liable to taint meat and of such construction as to enable them to be kept clean and disinfected; and

(ii) if to be used for handling, storing or transporting farmed game meat, to be so constructed that farmed game meat and the base of any receptacles containing such meat do not come into contact with the floor;

(f) suitable and sufficient receptacles with closely fitting covers for collecting and removing all waste and farmed game meat not intended for human consumption;

(g) subject to paragraph 2, suitable refrigeration equipment to enable the internal temperature of farmed game meat to be maintained at not more than +7°C for carcases and cuts, +3°C for offal and −12°C for frozen farmed game meat; such equipment to have a drainage system which avoids risk of contamination of farmed game meat;

(h) subject to paragraph 2, a suitable and sufficiently large refrigerated room or rooms for the cooling and storage of farmed game meat, equipped with corrosion-resistant fittings which prevent such meat from coming into contact with the floor and walls;

(i) water, that is to say—

(i) a sufficient, clean and wholesome supply of hot and cold potable water, or potable water premixed to a suitable temperature, available at an adequate pressure;

(ii) the separation of any other water so that it may be used only for the purpose of fire fighting or the operation of refrigerators or steam boilers, and so that pipes carrying such water shall be arranged so as not to allow any such water to be used for any other purpose; and that all such pipes shall clearly be distinguished from those used for water which is clean and wholesome and shall present no risk of contamination to farmed/wild game meat; and

(iii) if water is stored, in fully covered tanks to contain it, which tanks shall be of such construction as to enable them to be emptied and kept clean;

(j) satisfactory drainage, fitted with gratings and traps for solids, which shall be maintained in proper working order; save that, in rooms provided for the cooling or storage of fresh meat, gratings and traps shall not be required;

(k) a sanitary convenience; the room in which the convenience is situated shall not communicate directly with any room or area in which farmed game meat is being produced, cut up, handled, worked on or stored or in any such room as is referred to in sub paragraph (q);

(l) adequate protection against the entry of insects, vermin and birds;

(m) a suitable and sufficient room for the dressing of carcases of farmed game;

(n) a suitable system of overhead rails for the hygienic dressing and further handling of carcases; save that such a system shall not be required for the dressing of carcases where such a process can be carried out hygienically in a cradle or other equipment suitable for this purpose;

(o) suitable and sufficient facilities, capable of being securely locked, for the isolation of farmed game meat requiring further examination by an OVS or inspector; such facilities to be refrigerated so as to enable the requirements of paragraph 1(q) of Schedule 9 to be complied with and to be provided with a drainage system which avoids risk of contamination of farmed/wild game meat except that refrigeration facilities shall not be required where farmed game meat is removed from any low throughput farmed game processing facility within 24 hours of slaughter for delivery to cutting premises or butchers' shops and such transportation can be completed within one hour;

(p) a suitable and sufficient room or rooms capable of being securely locked for the retention of farmed game meat rejected as being unfit for human consumption, unless—

(i) such meat is removed or destroyed as often as may be necessary, and in any case at least once daily, and the quantity of such meat is not sufficient to require the provision of a separate room or rooms;

(ii) suitable and sufficient receptacles with closely fitting covers shall be provided which are capable of being securely locked and which shall be used only for holding farmed game meat rejected as being unfit for human consumption and are clearly marked to that effect; and

(iii) any chutes or receptacles used to transport such meat are so constructed and installed and maintained as to avoid risk of contamination of farmed game meat intended for human consumption;

(q) a suitable and sufficient room and facilities for the emptying and cleaning of stomachs and intestines; save that such a room and facilities shall not be required if—

(i) stomachs and intestines are removed unopened from the dressing room immediately after the post-mortem inspection and taken to the room or receptacles referred to in sub-paragraph (q) (save that where there is a significant delay between slaughter and post-mortem inspection stomachs and intestines shall be placed in suitable and sufficient facilities, and protected from the risk of contamination, whilst awaiting post mortem inspection); or

(ii) the closed-circuit mechanical equipment referred to in paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 is provided;

(r) a suitable and sufficient room for the dressing of guts and tripe if this is carried out in the premises; save that where a room is provided in accordance with sub-paragraph (q) for the emptying and cleaning of stomachs and intestines, that room shall also be regarded as suitable and sufficient for the dressing of guts and tripe provided such dressing can be carried out in a manner avoiding cross-contamination;

(s) a suitable and sufficient room or place for the wrapping and packaging of offal if this is done in the premises during dressing operations, save that preparation, clearing, wrapping and packaging of offal may take place in the same room provided the requirements of paragraph 2 of Part II of Schedule 13 are observed;

(t) a suitable and sufficient room or place for the preparation and clearing of offal if this is done in the premises during dressing operations;

(u) suitable facilities for the storage under hygienic conditions of wrapping and packaging material where offal is wrapped or packaged in the premises; save that preparation, clearing, wrapping and packaging of offal may take place in the same room provided the requirements of paragraph 2 of Part II of Schedule 13 are observed;

(v) a suitable and sufficient leakproof facility for the storage of hides and skins unless they are to be collected and take away daily;

(w) suitable and sufficient room or rooms for the storage of antlers, hooves, fat and other waste material unless these are to be collected and taken away daily; save that where a facility is provided in accordance with sub-paragraph (v) for the storage of hides and skins, that facility shall also be regarded as suitable and sufficient for the storage of antlers, hooves, fat and other waste material;

(x) OVS facilities.

2

The equipment and rooms referred to in sub-paragraphs 1(g) and (h) shall not be required where fresh meat is removed from any low throughput farmed game processing facility within 24 hours of slaughter for delivery to cutting premises or butchers shops and such transportation can be completed within one hour.

3

Every room in which farmed game meat is produced, worked on, handled or stored and any area through which farmed game meat is transported shall have—

(a) floors and floor surfaces of impermeable, rotproof non-slip and durable material, which shall be so constructed and kept in such good order, repair and condition as to enable them to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected; (such floors shall be laid in such a way as to facilitate the drainage of water);

(b) interior wall surfaces faced with a smooth, durable, impermeable and washable material (which shall be of a light colour) to the following heights—

(i) in any of the rooms referred to in paragraph 1(m), (p), (q), (r), (s) and (t) up to a height of not less than 3 metres or the full height of the room, whichever is lower;

(ii) in any rooms used for the cooling or storage of farmed game meat, up to a height of not less than the usable storage height; or

(iii) in any other room in which unpackaged farmed game meat is handled, up to a height of not less than 2 metres;

(c) doors and door frames of a hard wearing, corrosion-resistant material or, if made of wood, with a smooth, impermeable covering on all surfaces;

(d) a ceiling, or where there is no ceiling the interior surface of the roof, which is so constructed and finished as to minimise condensation, mould development, flaking and the lodgement of dirt, and which shall be kept in such good order, repair and condition as to enable it to be thoroughly cleaned;

(e) insulation materials which are rotproof and odourless;

(f) suitable and sufficient means of ventilation to the external air (except in the case of a humidity-controlled or temperature controlled chamber) including, where necessary, adequate means of steam extraction; (all ventilation systems to be kept at all times in good working order); and

(g) adequate artificial lighting throughout the workrooms which lighting shall not distort colours and shall be of an overall intensity of not less than 220 lux; save that at places where inspection of farmed game meat is normally carried out the overall intensity shall be not less than 540 lux).

4

The occupier of every low throughput farmed game processing facility shall ensure that the requirements of Schedule 7 are observed.

SCHEDULE 7 — Hygiene requirements in relation to Staff, Premises, Equipment and Implements

Part I — Requirements Applicable in all Premises

1

The occupier of any premises shall keep them or cause them to be kept, in such a state of cleanliness and otherwise so conduct them as to prevent the risk of contamination of any fresh meat in the premises or, in the case of any slaughterhouse, of any blood intended for human consumption, and in particular shall—

(a) ensure that subject to paragraph 3 of Schedule 9 and sub-paragraph 2(a) of Schedule 11, the premises and any plant, equipment, machinery or implements contained in them are not used for any purpose which is not properly connected with the preparation and storage of fresh meat, and that instruments for cutting up such meat are used solely for that purpose;

(b) ensure that fresh meat and the base of receptacles which contain, or may at any time contain, such meat do not come into contact with any floors, doors, columns, pillars or any other surfaces of any room;

(c) ensure that fresh meat requiring further examination by a Meat Inspector or OVS or rejected as unfit for human consumption is handled and transported in a manner avoiding contamination of fresh meat which has been declared fit for human consumption;

(d) ensure that fresh meat or blood intended for human consumption does not come into contact with any fresh meat requiring further examination by a Meat Inspector or OVS or rejected as being unfit for human consumption or the inedible by-products of the slaughtering of animals;

(e) ensure that tanks containing water used in the premises are kept fully covered and maintained in a clean state;

(f) where the premises are supplied with water which is only suitable for the purpose of fire fighting or the operation of refrigerators or steam boilers, ensure that any such water is not used for any other purpose;

(g) ensure that all detergents, disinfectants, pesticides and rodenticides used in the premises are of such a kind and are used in such a manner as not to affect the fitness of any fresh meat;

(h) ensure that all equipment and implements which come into contact with fresh meat are kept in a good state of repair and all fixtures, fittings and equipment are kept clean;

(i) ensure that sawdust or any similar substance is not spread on floors;

(j) cause the interior surfaces of any room or other place in which fresh meat or by-products are produced, cut up, handled, stored or packaged, and any room used for the retention of such meat rejected as being unfit for human consumption, to be cleaned and disinfected as often as may be necessary to maintain them at all times in a satisfactory state of cleanliness and in such condition as to prevent the absorption of any blood, refuse, filth or other offensive matter; and ensure that, in any event, the wall and floor surfaces of any room in which fresh meat is produced or cut up shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected when such operations are completed for the day;

(k) cause the changing rooms to be kept clean;

(l) ensure that any vehicles referred to in paragraph 1(t) and (u) of Schedule 2, paragraph 1(h) of Schedule 3 and paragraph 1(bb) and (cc) of Part II of Schedule 6 for which he is responsible are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after use in the place provided for such purpose;

(m) cause every sanitary convenience, and the room in which it is situated to be kept clean and every such sanitary convenience to be maintained in efficient working order and to be provided with an adequate supply of toilet paper held in a suitable fitting;

(n) ensure that all washing facilities are kept clean and in good working order;

(o) cause a clearly legible notice requesting users to wash their hands after using the convenience to be affixed and maintained in a prominent position near every sanitary convenience;

(p) take all reasonable steps to ensure that no waste, whether solid or liquid, is deposited or allowed to accumulate in premises;

(q) ensure that receptacles (other than manure bays or manure pits) which contain blood, manure, garbage, filth or refuse are kept covered with closely fitting covers; and

(r) ensure that rodents, insects and other vermin are systematically destroyed.

2

—

(1) A person shall not engage in the handling of fresh meat if he is suffering from or suspected of suffering from, or is the carrier of, any disease or condition which may render a person liable to contaminate fresh meat or is wearing a bandage on the hands or forearms other than a waterproof dressing protecting a non-infected wound.

(2) As soon as any person engaged in the handling of fresh meat or blood intended for human consumption becomes aware that he is suffering from, or is the carrier of, such disease or condition he shall forthwith give notice of the fact to the occupier or person in charge of the premises.

3

Every person engaged in slaughtering animals or working on or handling fresh meat shall—

(a) wear footwear and light coloured overalls or other suitable clothing, including covering for the hair of the head, and, where necessary, the neck, all of which articles shall, unless disposable, be easily cleanable, reserved exclusively for the use of persons slaughtering animals or working on or handling exposed or wrapped fresh meat, clean at the commencement of every working day and renewed during the day as necessary;

(b) keep as clean as may be reasonably practicable by thorough and frequent washing, in such a manner as to avoid any risk of contamination of fresh meat or blood, of all parts of his person or clothing which are liable to come into contact with any fresh meat or blood; and, in particular, shall wash his hands with hot water and soap or other detergent frequently during the working day and each time work is started and resumed and shall wash his hands and arms in such manner immediately after contact with animals or fresh meat which he knows or suspects to be diseased; and shall not use the same disposable towels more than once to dry hands and arms;

(d) ensure that all equipment and implements which come into contact with fresh meat are cleansed and subsequently disinfected in water at a temperature of not less than +82°C—

(i) prior to commencement of work;

(ii) frequently during the course of each working day;

(iii) immediately after any contact with fresh meat known or suspected to be diseased;

(iv) before re-use after any break in work; and

(v) at the end of each working day; and

(e) before being engaged to slaughter animals or work on or handle unpackaged fresh meat, obtain a medical certificate certifying that there is no objection on public health grounds to such activities and produce every such medical certificate on request to an OVS or to a veterinary officer, and any other person liable to come into contact with any fresh meat shall wear the appropriate clothing and footwear described in sub-paragraph (a).

4

A person shall not—

(a) urinate, defecate or spit except in a sanitary convenience;

(b) bring into or keep in any part of the premises containing fresh meat any article liable to prejudice the maintenance of hygiene or the proper performance of the functions reserved for that part of the premises;

(d) use tobacco (including snuff) in any part of the premises which may contain fresh meat or blood intended for human consumption or while he is handling any such meat or blood;

(e) change his clothes in any part of the premises which may contain fresh meat;

(f) take any fresh meat or blood intended for human consumption, or any item of equipment which might come into contact with such meat or blood, into a room or other place which contains a sanitary convenience; and

(g) bring into, or permit to be brought into or remain in the premises, any creature (other than one of the species referred to in regulation 2 or a working dog); or bring any working dog or permit any such dog to be brought into or remain in any part of any premises used for the production, cutting up, handling or storage of fresh meat or for the storage of blood intended for human consumption.

5

Every person entering licensed premises shall, before handling any fresh meat or blood intended for human consumption, thoroughly wash all parts of his person that may come into contact with such meat or blood and change into clean clothing and footwear as provided by sub-paragraph 3(a).

Part II — Additional Requirements applicable in all Slaughterhouses and Farmed Game Processing Facilities

1

The occupier of every slaughterhouse and farmed game processing facility shall ensure that—

(a) receptacles provided for holding blood intended for human consumption are clearly identified and used for no other purpose;

(b) any scalding tanks are emptied and washed out as often as is reasonably necessary and thoroughly cleaned at the end of each working day;

(c) pithing rods, if used, must be capable of being cleansed and disinfected and be kept cleansed between use on each animal;

(d) prior to post-mortem inspection carcases or offal do not come into contact with each other and, during chilling, carcases are so hung as to allow air to circulate freely between them at all times;

(e) the lairage is kept clean;

(f) the contents of every receptacle containing blood, and waste and every manure bay are removed from the slaughterhouse or farmed game processing facility as often as may be necessary to prevent a nuisance and in any event at least once in every 2 days and, after the contents have been so removed, the receptacle or bay is thoroughly cleaned before being used again; save that the contents of manure pits may remain in the slaughterhouse more than 2 days provided that the contents are kept dry, the lairages are operated in a hygienic manner and the pits whenever emptied are thoroughly cleaned before being used again;

(g) hides, skins, horns, hooves, swine’s bristles and fat not intended for human consumption are collected and taken away daily unless they are stored in the room or rooms provided for the storage of such products, and by-products of slaughtering not intended for human consumption are removed from the premises as often as may be necessary to prevent a nuisance; and

(h) fresh meat rejected as being unfit for human consumption is removed as soon as possible to the room or receptacle provided for the retention of such meat in a manner which avoids any risk of contamination of fresh meat which is intended for human consumption and such accommodation is kept locked except when it is necessarily opened for the reception and removal of unfit meat or at the request of an OVS or inspector for the purpose of the examination and seizure of such meat.

2

In a slaughterhouse or farmed game processing facility a person shall not—

(a) when stirring any blood intended for human consumption, permit his hand or other part of his person to come into contact with such blood;

(b) inflate in any manner the carcase or any part whatsoever of any animal intended for human consumption; save that this shall not apply in the case of the slaughter by the Jewish method of animals intended as food for Jewish persons provided that any organs so inflated are not intended for human consumption, and except that mechanical insufflation may be used for the flaying of lambs and kids of a live weight of less than 15 kg, in accordance with hygiene requirements; or

SCHEDULE 8 — Ante-Mortem Health Inspection Requirements

1

Subject to paragraph 2, animals intended for slaughter for sale for human consumption shall undergo ante-mortem health inspection at the slaughterhouse before slaughter and such inspection shall take place—

(a) not more than 24 hours after arrival;

(b) not more than 24 hours before slaughter; and

2

An animal to which the provisions of paragraph 2(e), 4 or 5 of Schedule 3 to the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 applies shall not be subjected to an ante-mortem health inspection in accordance with paragraph 1 if it is not reasonably practicable for such an inspection to be carried out before it is necessary for the animal to be slaughtered.

3

The ante-mortem health inspection shall be made under adequate natural or artificial lighting.

4

The ante-mortem health inspection shall determine—

(a) whether the animals are showing clinical signs of a disease which can be transmitted through the fresh meat to humans or animals or whether there are any indications that such a disease may occur;

(b) whether they are showing clinical signs of a disease or disorder which would be likely to make fresh meat unfit for human consumption;

(d) whether there is visible evidence that substances with pharmacological effects have been administered to them or that they have consumed any other substances which may make fresh meat unfit for human consumption.

5

Animals shall not be slaughtered for the production of fresh meat for human consumption if they—

(a) show any of the conditions mentioned in sub-paragraphs 4(a), (b) and (d) of this Schedule;

(b) have not been rested for an adequate period of time, which, for fatigued or stressed animals, must not be less than 24 hours unless an OVS or, in the case of a farmed game handling facility, a veterinary surgeon has determined otherwise; or

6

(1) An animal which shows any of the conditions mentioned in sub-paragraphs 4(a) or (b) of this Schedule shall be taken to and kept in that part of the lairage provided for the isolation of animals which are diseased or injured or suspected of being diseased or injured.

(2) Unless, following a subsequent ante-mortem health inspection, an OVS passes the animal as fit for slaughter for human consumption, he may require that it shall be slaughtered and dressed in the room or alternatively using the method of operation and facilities referred to in sub-paragraph 1(d) of Schedule 2, or in the case of a low throughput slaughterhouse, after the completion of slaughter of all other animals for the time being in the lairage.

7

In the case of a live animal imported into the UK from a relevant EEA State, the OVS shall make such examination as may be required in order to meet the requirements of Council Directive 90/425/EEC[^f00027].

SCHEDULE 9 — Slaughter and Dressing Practices — Requirements Appplicable in Slaughterhouses and Farmed Game Processing Facilities

1

(1) The occupier and persons engaged in the handling of fresh meat shall ensure that—

(a) animals brought into the slaughterhall of any slaughterhouse are slaughtered without delay;

(b) in any slaughterhouse where both swine and other animals are slaughtered, swine are slaughtered and dressed in a separate room or alternatively using the method of operation referred to in paragraph 2 of Schedule 2;

(c) in any slaughterhouse where both farmed game and other animals are slaughtered, farmed game is slaughtered and dressed in a separate room or at a different time from other animals;

(d) fresh meat is adequately protected from the risk of contamination at all stages of the slaughtering and dressing process and during storage and despatch and in particular that—

(i) bleeding and dressing processes are not carried out on the floor and no carcase or offal comes into contact with the floor;

(ii) during the dressing process adequate precautions are taken to avoid the risk of discharge of materials and fluids from the alimentary tract, urinary bladder and uterus of any animal; and

(iii) offal is removed from the carcase in such a way as to avoid contamination of the offal or the carcase;

(e) bleeding is completed without delay and all blood is immediately swilled down a drain via a suitable trough or collected in a clean receptacle provided for that purpose and, if intended for human consumption, is so kept as to remain readily identifiable with the carcases from which it was collected until the carcases have been inspected in accordance with Schedule 10;

(f) the following are discarded immediately after slaughter—

(i) in the case of sheep and goats, the head, including the tongue and brain, if no part of it is intended for human consumption;

(ii) the penis if it is not intended for human consumption, and a Meat Inspector or OVS is satisfied that it shows no pathological symptom or lesion;

(g) without prejudice to paragraph 1(j) of Schedule 2, paragraph 1(e) of Part II of Schedule 5, paragraph 1(t) of Part II of Schedule 6, paragraph 1(r) of Part III of Schedule 6 and sub-paragraph (n), and subject to the requirements of regulation 11, the stomachs and intestines of slaughtered animals are removed from the slaughterhall or in the case of a farmed game processing facility, the dressing room, unopened, and in such a manner that they do not come into contact with the floor, as soon as possible after they have been separated from the carcase and that they are not opened or cleaned in any part of the premises which contains blood intended for human consumption or any fresh meat other than stomachs or intestines;

(h) slaughtered animals are dressed in the following manner—

(i) in the case of bovine animals, solipeds and farmed deer, by the removal of the hide or skin, (save that the head of any bovine animals under six weeks old and the head of any deer not intended for human consumption need not be flayed provided it is handled in a manner avoiding contamination of fresh meat and that the OVS is satisfied that the head can be satisfactorily inspected), the tonsils, the horns or antlers (which shall be removed at the time of flaying), the head (save that where retention of the ears on carcases of bovine animals is necessary for any certification purpose removal of the ears may be delayed until completion of that certification), the viscera (save that the lungs, the heart, the liver, the spleen and the mediastinum may remain attached to the carcase by their natural connections), the genital organs (subject to sub-paragraph (f)(ii)), the urinary bladder, the feet up to the carpal and tarsal joints and, in the case of lactating animals or animals that have given birth or are in advanced pregnancy, the udder; the kidneys shall be removed from their fatty coverings and their perirenal capsules; the spinal cord shall be removed from bovine animals over six months;

(ii) in the case of swine, by the removal of the tonsils, the hair and bristles (where the bristles are removed by using a debristling agent the carcase must immediately afterwards be rinsed in water which is clean and wholesome) or the skin, the claws, the viscera (save that the lungs, the heart, the liver, the spleen and the mediastinum may remain attached to the carcase by their natural connections), the genital organs (subject to sub-paragraph (f)(ii)), the urinary bladder, and, in the case of lactating animals or animals that have given birth or are in advanced pregnancy, the udder; the kidneys shall be removed from their fatty coverings and their perirenal capsules;

(iii) in the case of sheep and goats, by the removal of the skin, the head, the viscera (save that the lungs, the heart, the liver, the spleen and the mediastinum may remain attached to the carcase by their natural connections), the genital organs (subject to sub-paragraph (f)(ii)), the urinary bladder, the feet up to the carpal and tarsal joints and, in the case of lactating animals or animals that have given birth or are in advanced pregnancy, the udder; the kidneys shall be removed from their fatty coverings;

(i) during the flaying of any cow the teats are not excised and are left intact for removal with the udder from the carcase;

(j) no incision is made into the substance of any udder except by or on the direction of a Meat Inspector or OVS;

(k) there is no contact between the external surfaces of the skin of any animal and any offal or flayed or partly flayed carcase and there is no placing of the unskinned head of any bovine animal under 6 weeks of age, deer, sheep or goat in any room containing fresh meat;

(l) every hide and skin is removed from any part of the slaughterhouse or farmed game processing facility containing any fresh meat or containing any blood intended for human consumption as soon as possible after it has been separated from the carcase, every such hide and skin being removed in such a way that it does not come into contact with the floor;

(m) evisceration is carried out immediately after flaying or depilation as appropriate and completed—

(i) not later than 45 minutes after stunning;

(ii) in the case of religious slaughter, not later than 30 minutes after bleeding;

(iii) in the case of the slaughtered and bled body of an animal brought into a slaughterhouse in accordance with regulation 18(2) no later than 3 hours after slaughter; or

(iv) in the case of the slaughtered and bled bodies of farmed game brought into a slaughterhouse or farmed game processing facility in accordance with sub-paragraph (e) of Part I of Schedule 6, no later than 3 hours after slaughter;

(n) subject to sub-paragraph (g), the organs and viscera of any animal are so kept as to remain readily identifiable with the carcase until that carcase has been inspected in accordance with Schedule 10, and any samples required for residue tests under the Animals, Meat and Meat Products (Examination for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992[^f00028] have been taken, and the head and feet of any animal are kept available for inspection in the slaughterhouse or farmed game processing facility until an OVS or inspector authorises their removal;

(o) carcases of solipeds, bovine animals over six months old and, subject to paragraph (2), swine over four weeks old are split lengthwise through the spinal column before being submitted for inspection in accordance with Schedule 10 and any other carcase or the head of any animal is split lengthwise if a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary for the purpose of carrying out the inspection prescribed in Schedule 10;

(p) slaughtered animals are dressed and treated in such a manner as not to prevent or hinder inspection in accordance with Schedule 10 and in particular no carcase is cut up and, subject to sub-paragraph (f), no part other than the hide or skin of any slaughtered animal is removed from the slaughterhouse or farmed game processing facility until the inspection prescribed in Schedule 10 has been completed and any samples required for residue tests under the Animals, Meat and Meat Products (Examination for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992 have been taken, and no action is taken which might alter or destroy any evidence of disease or contamination before inspection;

(q) subject to paragraph 3 of Schedule 11, fresh meat is placed without undue delay in a refrigeration room and is brought progressively to an internal temperature of not more than +7°C for carcases, half carcases, half carcases cut into three wholesale cuts and quarter carcases and + 3°C for offal and is subsequently kept constantly at or below that temperature; save that fresh meat shall not be required to be so refrigerated where—

(i) it is removed from any slaughterhouse or farmed game processing facility within 24 hours of slaughter for delivery to cutting premises or butchers' shops;

(ii) such transportation can be completed within two hours; and

(iii) provided it is kept under hygienic conditions before removal from such premises;

(r) meat resulting from trimming of the sticking point, rejected as unfit for human consumption under Schedule 10, Part IX paragraph 8, is removed;

(s) no implement is left in fresh meat; and

(t) where back bleeding ensues upon the slaughter of an animal, the pleura are not completely detached from the carcase until a Meat Inspector or OVS authorises their removal.

(2) To take account of technological requirements, or where carcases are intended for the production of traditional pig products or cuts, the OVS may authorise the submission for inspection of carcases of swine not split in half.

(3) In sub-paragraph (1)(q) “refrigeration room” means a room such as is mentioned—

(a) in paragraph 1(i) of Schedule 2;

(b) in paragraph 1(i) of Part I of Schedule 5;

(d) in paragraph 1(h) of Part III of that Schedule.

2

In any slaughterhouse—

(a) where bovine animals, sheep, goats, solipeds or farmed deer are slaughtered and dressed following the slaughter of swine, the occupier shall ensure that thorough cleaning and disinfection of the slaughterhall takes place following the slaughter of swine; and

(b) where other animals are slaughtered and dressed following the slaughter and dressing of farmed game, the occupier shall ensure that thorough cleaning and disinfection of the slaughterhall takes place following the slaughter of farmed game.

3

Large wild game may be slaughtered and dressed in a slaughterhouse provided that—

(a) any carcase of such game is skinned in a room separate from that reserved for fresh meat, or at a different time; and

(b) any such slaughterhouse is granted a special approval for the purposes of Council Directive 92/45/EEC.

SCHEDULE 10 — Post-Mortem Health Inspection Requirements applicable in Slaughterhouses and Farmed Game Processing Facilities

Part I — General Requirements

1

At every slaughterhouse and every farmed game processing facility, the carcase and offal and where appropriate, the blood of each slaughtered animal intended for sale for human consumption shall be inspected without delay by an OVS or inspector acting under his supervision and any such OVS or inspector shall have regard to—

(a) the age and sex of the animal;

(b) the state of nutrition of the animal;

(d) any local or general oedema;

(e) the efficiency of bleeding;

(f) any swelling, deformity or other abnormality of bones, joints, musculature or umbilicus;

(g) any abnormality in consistency, colour, odour (such as pronounced sexual odours) and, where appropriate, taste;

(h) the condition of the pleura and peritoneum; and

(i) any other evidence of abnormality.

2

The inspection shall include—

(a) visual examination of the slaughtered animal and the organs belonging to it;

(b) palpation of the organs referred to in Parts II to VII of this Schedule and, where considered necessary by a Meat Inspector or OVS, the uterus;

(d) any additional incisions or examinations that a Meat Inspector or OVS considers necessary.

Part II — Specific Requirements for Bovine Animals not less than six weeks old

1

In the case of bovine animals not less than six weeks old the inspection shall include—

(a) visual examination of the head and throat for which purpose the submaxillary, retropharyngeal and parotid lymph nodes shall be examined in detail, examination of the external (masseter) cheek muscles shall be carried out in which at least two deep incisions on each side shall be made and the internal (pterygoid) cheek muscles in which at least one deep incision on each side shall be made; all incisions shall be made parallel to the mandible from its upper muscular insertion, and visual examination and palpation of the tongue, having been freed to permit a detailed visual examination of the mouth and fauces shall be carried out;

(b) visual examination of the trachea and lungs, for which purpose palpation of the lungs shall be carried out; the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes shall be examined in detail and where the lungs are intended for human consumption, the trachea and the main branches of the bronchi shall be opened lengthwise and the lungs shall be incised in their posterior third at right angles to their main axes;

(c) visual examination of the pericardium and the heart for which purpose the latter shall be incised lengthwise so as to open the ventricles and to cut through the intraventricular septum;

(d) visual examination of the diaphragm;

(e) visual examination and palpation of the liver, the hepatic and pancreatic lymph nodes for which purpose the gastric surface of the liver and the base of the caudate lobe shall be incised to examine the bile ducts;

(f) visual examination of the alimentary tract, the mesentery, the gastric and mesenteric lymph nodes for which purpose the gastric and mesenteric lymph nodes shall be palpated and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, examined in detail;

(g) visual examination and where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, palpation of the spleen;

(h) visual examination of the kidneys and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, incision of the kidneys and examination in detail of the renal lymph nodes;

(i) visual examination of the pleura and peritoneum;

(j) visual examination of the genital organs except the penis if it has been discarded in accordance with paragraph 1(f)(ii) of Schedule 9; and

(k) visual examination and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, palpation and incision of the udder of a cow and its lymph nodes for which purpose, where the udder is intended for human consumption, each half of it shall be opened by a long deep incision as far as the lactiferous sinuses and its lymph nodes shall be examined in detail and such incisions shall be carried out in such a way that they do not contaminate meat.

Part III — Specific Requirements for Bovine Animals less than six weeks old

1

In the case of bovine animals under six weeks old the inspection shall include—

(a) visual examination of the head and the throat for which purpose the retropharyngeal lymph nodes shall be examined in detail; the mouth and fauces shall be examined and the tongue shall be palpated;

(b) visual examination of the lungs and trachea, for which purpose palpation of the lungs shall be carried out, the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes shall be examined in detail and where the lungs are intended for human consumption the trachea and the main branches of the bronchi shall be opened lengthwise and the lungs shall be incised in their posterior third at right angles to their main axes;

(c) visual examination of the pericardium and the heart for which purpose the latter shall be incised lengthwise so as to open the ventricles and cut through the intraventricular septum;

(d) visual examination of the diaphragm;

(e) visual examination and palpation of the liver and the hepatic lymph nodes; visual examination of the pancreatic lymph nodes and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, incision of the liver and examination in detail of the hepatic lymph nodes;

(f) visual examination of the alimentary tract, the mesentery, the gastric and mesenteric lymph nodes for which purpose the gastric and mesenteric lymph nodes shall be palpated and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, examined in detail;

(g) visual examination and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, palpation of the spleen;

(h) visual examination of the kidneys and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, incision of the kidneys and examination in detail of the renal lymph nodes;

(i) visual examination of the pleura and peritoneum; and

(j) visual examination and palpation of the umbilical region and the joints; and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, the umbilical region shall be incised, the joints opened and the synovial fluid examined.

Part IV — Specific Requirements for Swine

1

In the case of swine the inspection shall include—

(a) visual examination of the head and the throat for which purpose the submaxillary lymph nodes shall be examined in detail; visual examination of the mouth, fauces and tongue;

(b) visual examination of the trachea and lungs, for which purpose palpation of the lungs and of the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes shall be carried out and where the lungs are intended for human consumption the trachea and the main branches of the bronchi shall be opened lengthwise and the lungs shall be incised in their posterior third at right angles to their main axes;

(c) visual examination of the pericardium and the heart for which purpose the latter shall be incised lengthwise so as to open the ventricles and to cut through the intraventricular septum;

(d) visual examination of the diaphragm;

(e) visual examination and palpation of the liver and the hepatic lymph nodes; and visual examination of the pancreatic lymph nodes;

(f) visual examination of the alimentary tract, the mesentery and the gastric and mesenteric lymph nodes for which purpose the gastric and mesenteric lymph nodes shall be palpated and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, examined in detail;

(g) visual examination and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, palpation of the spleen;

(h) visual examination of the kidneys and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, incision of the kidneys and examination in detail of the renal lymph nodes;

(i) visual examination of the pleura and peritoneum;

(j) visual examination of the genital organs except the penis if it has been discarded in accordance with paragraph 1(f)(ii) of Schedule 9;

(k) visual examination of the udder and supramammary lymph nodes; and, in the case of sows the supramammary lymph nodes shall be examined in detail; and

(l) visual examination and palpation of the umbilical region and joints of young animals; and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, the umbilical region shall be incised and the joints shall be opened.

2

An investigation for cysticercus cellulosae shall be carried out which shall include examination of the directly visible muscular surfaces, in particular at the level of the thigh muscles, the pillars of the diaphragm, the intercostal muscles, the heart, the tongue and the larynx; and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, the abdominal wall and the psoas muscles shall be freed from fatty tissue.

3

If an abscess is found in the carcase or in any organ of any swine or if a Meat Inspector or OVS has reason to suspect the presence of any such abscess, he shall require the carcase to be split through the spinal column if it has not already been so split and shall examine in detail such of the following lymph nodes as he has not already so examined: superficial, inguinal, supramammary, cervical, prepectoral, prescapular, presternal, sublumbar, iliac, precrural and, if he considers it necessary, the popliteal.

Part V — Specific Requirements for Sheep and Goats

1

In the case of sheep and goats the inspection shall include—

(a) unless the head, including the tongue and brains, is to be excluded from human consumption, visual inspection of the head after flaying and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, examination of the throat, mouth, tongue, retropharyngeal and parotid lymph nodes;

(b) visual examination of the trachea and lungs, for which purpose palpation of the lungs and of the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes shall be carried out and where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, incision of the lungs and examination in detail of the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes;

(c) visual examination of the pericardium and the heart; and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, incision of the heart;

(d) visual examination of the diaphragm;

(e) visual examination and palpation of the liver and the hepatic lymph nodes; and visual examination of the pancreatic lymph nodes; the gastric surface of the liver shall be incised to examine the bile ducts;

(f) visual examination of the alimentary tract, the mesentery and the gastric and mesenteric lymph nodes;

(g) visual examination and where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, palpation of the spleen;

(h) visual examination of the kidneys and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, incision of the kidneys and examination in detail of the renal lymph nodes;

(i) visual examination of the pleura and peritoneum; and

(j) visual examination of the genital organs except the penis if it has been discarded in accordance with paragraph 1(f)(ii) of Schedule 9;

(k) visual examination of the udder and its lymph nodes; and

(l) visual examination and palpation of the umbilical region and joints of young animals; where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, the umbilical region shall be incised and the joints shall be opened.

2

Where a Meat Inspector or OVS has reason to suspect that a suppurative condition exists in the carcase of any sheep or lamb he shall—

(a) examine by palpation as well as by observation such of the lymph nodes as are readily accessible; and

(b) in the case of a sheep, examine in detail such of the following lymph nodes as he has not already so examined: prescapular, superficial, inguinal, precrural; and, in the case of a lamb, examine in detail such lymph nodes if he has found evidence of disease in the course of visual examination or palpation.

Part VI — Specific Requirements for Solipeds

1

In the case of solipeds the inspection shall include—

(a) visual examination of the head and, after freeing the tongue, the throat for which purpose the submaxillary, retropharyngeal and parotid lymph nodes shall be palpated and, where considered necessary by a Meat Inspector or OVS, incised and visual examination and palpation of the tongue, having been freed to permit a detailed examination of the mouth and the fauces shall be carried out;

(b) visual examination of the trachea and lungs for which purpose palpation of the lungs, the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes shall be carried out and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, the lymph nodes shall be examined in detail; and where the lungs are intended for human consumption the trachea and the main branches of the bronchi shall be opened lengthwise and the lungs shall be incised in their posterior third at right angles to their main axes;

(c) visual examination of the pericardium and the heart; the latter shall be incised lengthwise so as to open the ventricles and to cut through the intraventricular septum;

(d) visual examination of the diaphragm;

(e) visual examination and palpation of the liver and the hepatic lymph nodes; visual examination of the pancreatic lymph nodes; and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, incision of the liver and the hepatic and pancreatic lymph nodes;

(f) visual examination of the alimentary tract, the mesentery, the gastric and mesenteric lymph nodes; and where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, the gastric and mesenteric lymph nodes shall be examined in detail;

(g) visual examination and palpation of the spleen;

(h) visual examination and palpation of the kidneys, and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, incision of the kidneys and examination in detail of the renal lymph nodes;

(i) visual examination of the pleura and peritoneum;

(j) visual examination of the genital organs of stallions and mares except the penis if it has been discarded in accordance with paragraph 1(f)(ii) of Schedule 9;

(k) visual examination of the udder and the supramammary lymph nodes; and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, the supramammary lymph nodes shall be examined in detail;

(l) visual examination and palpation of the umbilical region and joints of young animals; and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, the umbilical region shall be incised and the joints shall be opened; and

(m) for all grey or white horses, an examination for melanosis and melanomata; the attachment of one shoulder shall be loosened to allow examination of the muscles and the prescapular lymph node, and the kidneys shall be examined after splitting by a longitudinal incision which exposes both cortex and medulla.

2

An investigation for glanders shall be carried out by means of careful examination of mucous membranes of the trachea, larynx, nasal cavities, sinuses and their ramifications, after splitting the head in the median plane and excision of the nasal septum.

Part VII — Specific Requirements for Farmed Deer

1

In the case of farmed deer the inspection shall include—

(a) visual examination of the head and throat; the submaxillary, and retropharyngeal lymph nodes shall be examined in detail; and where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, visual examination and palpation of the tongue, having been freed to permit a detailed visual examination of the mouth and fauces;

(b) visual examination of the trachea and lungs for which purpose palpation of the lungs shall be carried out; the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes shall be examined in detail; and where the lungs are intended for human consumption the trachea and the main branches of the bronchi shall be opened lengthwise and the lungs shall be incised in their posterior third at right angles to their main axes;

(c) visual examination of the pericardium and the heart; where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary the latter shall be incised lengthwise so as to open the ventricles and to cut through the intraventricular septum;

(d) visual examination of the diaphragm;

(e) visual examination and palpation of the liver, the hepatic and pancreatic lymph nodes; the gastric surface of the liver shall be incised to examine the bile ducts;

(f) visual examination of the alimentary tract, the mesentery, the gastric and mesenteric lymph nodes; the gastric and mesenteric lymph nodes shall be palpated and examined in detail;

(g) visual examination and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, palpation of the spleen;

(h) visual examination of the kidneys and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, incision of the kidneys and examination in detail of the renal lymph nodes;

(i) visual examination of the pleura and peritoneum;

(j) visual examination of the genital organs except the penis if it has been discarded in accordance with paragraph 1(f)(ii) of Schedule 9;

(k) visual examination of the udder and the supramammary lymph nodes;

(l) visual examination and palpation of the umbilical region and joints of young animals; and, where a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary, the umbilical region shall be incised and the joints shall be opened; and

(m) the feet, if a Meat Inspector or OVS considers it necessary.

2

Where a Meat Inspector or OVS has reason to suspect that a suppurative condition exists in the carcase and viscera he shall carry out a visual examination and palpation of such of the lymph nodes as are readily accessible and examine in detail such lymph nodes if he has found evidence of disease in the course of visual examination or palpation.

Part VIII — Additional Requirements where Tuberculosis is suspected

Where a Meat Inspector or OVS has reason to suspect that any part of the carcase or offal of any animal is infected with tuberculosis, he shall, in addition to carrying out the provisions of the preceding Parts of this Schedule—

(a) in the case of any carcase, require the carcase to be split, examine the vertebrae, ribs, sternum, spinal cord and, if he considers it necessary, the brain, and if a lesion of a kidney is visible or suspected, incise the kidney;

(b) in the case of the carcase of any bovine animal, soliped or farmed deer, examine in detail the following lymph nodes (being lymph nodes not already examined by him in accordance with the provisions of Parts II, III, VI or VII of this Schedule), namely, the superficial inguinal, prepectoral, presternal, suprasternal, xiphoid, sub dorsal, intercostal, prescapular, iliac, sublumbar, ischiatic, precrural and popliteal, those lymph nodes which are least likely to show infection being examined first; and

(c) in the case of the carcase of any swine, examine in detail the following lymph nodes (being lymph nodes not already examined by him in accordance with the provisions of Part IV of this Schedule), namely, the superficial inguinal, cervical, prepectoral, prescapular, sub dorsal, sublumbar, iliac, precrural and, if he considers it necessary, the popliteal.

Part IX — Indications of Unfitness for Human Consumption

1

(1) If upon inspection of any carcase a Meat Inspector or OVS is satisfied that the animal was suffering from any of the following diseases or conditions, he shall regard the whole carcase and all the offal and blood removed or collected from it as being unfit for human consumption—

Actinobacillosis (generalised) or actinomycosis (generalised)

Anaemia (advanced)

Anthrax

Blackleg

Botulism

Bruising (extensive and severe)

Brucellosis (acute)

Caseous lymphadenitis with emaciation

Caseous lymphadenitis (generalised)

Cysticercus bovis (generalised)

Cysticercus cellulosae

Cysticercus ovis (generalised)

Decomposition (generalised)

Emaciation

Enteritis (acute)

Fever

Foot and mouth disease

Glanders

Jaundice

Lymphadenitis (generalised)

Malignant catarrhal fever

Mastitis (acute septic)

Melanosis (generalised)

Metritis (acute septic)

Abnormal odour associated with disease or other conditions prejudicial to health or pronounced sexual odour

Oedema (generalised)

Pericarditis (acute septic)

Peritonitis (acute diffuse septic)

Pleurisy (acute diffuse septic)

Pneumonia (acute septic)

Pyaemia (including joint-ill)

Rabies

Salmonellosis (acute)

Sarcocysts (generalised, macroscopically visible)

Septicaemia

Swine erysipelas (acute)

Swine fever

Tetanus

Toxaemia

Trichinellosis

Tuberculosis (generalised)

Tuberculosis with emaciation

Tumours (malignant with secondary growths or multiple)

Uraemia

Viraemia.

(2) A Meat Inspector or OVS shall reject as unfit for human consumption any stillborn or unborn carcase and any immature carcase which is oedematous or in poor physical condition together with any offal or blood removed or collected therefrom.

2

A Meat Inspector or OVS shall reject the blood of any animal as unfit for human consumption if he is satisfied—

(a) that the animal was affected with any infectious condition; or

(b) that the blood is contaminated by stomach contents or other extraneous matter.

3

A Meat Inspector or OVS shall, in determining for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule whether tuberculosis is generalised, take into account the sum of the evidence of disease and the character of the lesions throughout the carcase and, in particular, shall regard evidence of any of the following conditions as satisfactory evidence of generalised tuberculosis—

(a) miliary tuberculosis of both lungs with evidence of tuberculosis elsewhere;

(b) multiple and actively progressive lesions of tuberculosis;

(d) diffuse acute lesions of tuberculosis of both the pleura and peritoneum associated with an enlarged or tuberculous lymph node of the carcase;

(e) active or recent lesions present in substance of any two of the following: spleen, kidney, udder, uterus, ovary, testicle, brain and spinal cord or their membranes, in addition to tuberculous lesions in the respiratory and digestive tracts; and

(f) in the case of a calf congenital tuberculosis.

4

(1) Where a Meat Inspector or OVS is satisfied that a carcase or offal is affected with tuberculosis other than generalised tuberculosis or tuberculosis with emaciation, he shall reject the following parts of the carcase and offal as unfit for human consumption—

(a) any part of the carcase infected with localised tuberculosis and any other part contiguous thereto;

(b) the head including the tongue, when tuberculosis exists in any lymph node associated with the head or tongue; save that where in a particular lymph node or nodes the lesion is small and inactive and the lymph node is not enlarged, he may regard the head or tongue, or both, as fit for human consumption after the removal of the affected lymph node or nodes and the surrounding tissue; and

(c) any organ or viscera when tuberculosis exists in the substance, or on the surface thereof or in any lymph node associated therewith.

(2) A Meat Inspector or OVS shall reject any part of a carcase and any offal or blood contaminated with tuberculous material as unfit for human consumption.

5

A Meat Inspector or OVS shall regard either of the following conditions as satisfactory evidence of generalised caseous lymphadenitis for the purpose of this Part of this Schedule:—

(a) multiple, acute and actively progressive lesions of caseous lymphadenitis; or

(b) multiple lesions of caseous lymphadenitis which are inactive but widespread.

6

(1) Where a Meat Inspector or OVS is satisfied—

(a) that a carcase or offal is affected with caseous lymphadenitis or any other suppurative condition; but

(b) that the condition is not generalised nor associated with emaciation,

he shall reject the following parts of the carcase and offal as unfit for human consumption—

(i) any organ and its associated lymph node, when the condition exists on the surface or in the substance of that organ or lymph node; and

(ii) when it does not so exist, the lesion and such of the surrounding parts as he may think proper having regard to the age and degree of activity of the lesion.

(2) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) an old lesion which is firmly encapsulated may be regarded as inactive.

7

Where a Meat Inspector or OVS is satisfied that any part of a carcase or any offal is affected with a localised infestation of cysticercus bovis, he shall reject the following parts of the carcase and offal as unfit for human consumption—

(a) the part of the carcase or offal so infested; and

(b) the remainder of the carcase and offal unless he is satisfied that they have been kept in cold storage at a temperature not exceeding −7°C for a period of not less than three weeks or at a temperature not exceeding −10°C for a period of not less than two weeks.

8

A Meat Inspector or OVS shall reject as unfit for human consumption meat resulting from trimming of the sticking point.

9

Where a Meat Inspector or OVS is satisfied that the whole or any part of a carcase or any offal is affected by any disease or condition other than one mentioned in paragraphs 1 to 9 or that it is contaminated, he shall reject as unfit for human consumption the whole carcase and the offal or such lesser part thereof as he may think appropriate to the circumstances of the case.

10

Where a Meat Inspector or OVS is satisfied that a part of a carcase or any offal is affected by a slight localised infestation by a parasite not transmissible to man he may at his discretion reject as unfit for human consumption the part of the carcase or offal so affected together with the tissue immediately surrounding it.

11

Where the blood or offal of several animals is collected in one receptacle a Meat Inspector or OVS shall reject as unfit for human consumption the entire contents of that receptacle if fresh meat of any of the animals from which the blood was collected or the offal obtained is declared unfit for human consumption.

12

Fresh meat from horses shall be examined for trichinellosis and shall be rejected as unfit for human consumption if so affected.

13

Where the Department so directs, an OVS or a Meat Inspector shall examine fresh meat from swine for trichinellosis and shall reject as unfit for human consumption fresh meat so affected.

14

Without prejudice to paragraph 13 where the Department so directs, fresh meat from swine not examined for trichinellosis shall be subjected to cold treatment in accordance with Annex 1 to Directive 77/96/EEC[^f00029].

15

Save where the establishment from which it originates is subject to a programme recognised in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 16 of Council Directive 64/433/EEC, beef, veal or pigmeat intended for Finland or Sweden shall be subjected to microbiological testing in accordance with one of the two isolation techniques used in the standard method of the International Organisation for Standardisation, ISO 6579:1993, referred to in Section C of the Annex to Council Decision 95/409/EC[^f00030].

SCHEDULE 11 — Requirements Applicable in Cutting Premises

1

In this Part of the Schedule—

“the appropriate receptacles” means the receptacles referred to in paragraph 1(g) of Schedule 1 and paragraph 1(f) of Schedule 5; and

“the refrigerated room” means the room referred to in paragraph 1(a)(ii) of Schedule 3 and paragraph 1(i) of Part I of Schedule 5.

2

The occupier of the cutting premises shall ensure that—

(a) any of the meat listed at (i) to (vi) is cut up, prepared or, if unpackaged, stored (as the case may be) in the case of (i), (ii) and (iii) in a separate room from, or at other times than unpackaged fresh meat and in the case of (iv), (v) and (vi), separately from unpackaged fresh meat—

(i) poultry meat;

(ii) farmed game meat from animals of the family Leporidae;

(iii) wild game meat;

(iv) minced meat prepared with the addition of spices or similar substances;

(v) meat preparations; and

(vi) meat products,

and that any room used for such operations is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before being used again for the cutting up, preparation or storage of fresh meat;

(b) the products (other than fresh meat) referred to in sub-paragraph (a) are cut up, prepared or, if unpackaged, stored (as the case may be) separately from each other;

(c) without prejudice to paragraph 3, as soon as fresh meat intended for cutting up enters the cutting premises, it is placed in the refrigerated room provided for the reception and storage of such meat awaiting cutting and maintained there at an internal temperature of not more than +7°C for carcases, half carcases, half carcases cut into three wholesale cuts and quarter carcases and +3°C for offal;

(d) without prejudice to paragraph 3, fresh meat is brought into the cutting room as and when required, that it remains in that room only for the minimum time required to carry out the necessary cutting up operations, and that on completion of cutting up, wrapping and packaging such meat is transferred without undue delay to the refrigerated room and there maintained at an internal temperature of not more than +7°C for cut fresh meat and +3°C for offal;

(e) fresh meat entering the premises is checked and, if necessary, trimmed and the work stations for this task are equipped with suitable facilities and adequate lighting;

(f) without prejudice to paragraph 3, cutting up does not take place until the fresh meat has reached an internal temperature of not more than +7°C for carcases, half carcases, half carcases cut into three wholesale cuts and quarter carcases and +3°C for offal, that during cutting up, wrapping and packaging such meat is kept at an internal temperature of not more than +7°C for carcases and cuts and +3°C for offal, and, with the exception of low throughput cutting premises, that while cutting up is taking place the temperature of the room does not exceed +12°C;

(g) any splinters of bone and clots of blood are removed from fresh meat during cutting up;

(h) no carcase, offal or cut fresh meat is wiped down;

(i) fresh meat obtained from cutting up and not intended for human consumption is collected in the appropriate receptacles as it is cut up;

(j) no implement is left in fresh meat; and

(k) in the case of fresh meat from bovine animals, obvious nervous and lymphatic tissue is removed and collected in the appropriate receptacles and not used for human consumption and if the meat is intended for export, or for consignment to an EEA State and it is derived from bovine animals aged over two and a half years at slaughter which have resided on a holding where Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy has been confirmed within the six years prior to slaughter, the following lymph nodes are removed, collected as above and not used for human consumption: popliteal, ischiatic, superficial inguinal, deep inguinal, medial and lateral iliac, renal, prefemoral, lumbar, costocervical, sternal, prescapular, axillary and caudal deep cervical.

3

Notwithstanding anything in paragraph 2 or paragraph 1(1)(q) of Schedule 9—

(a) fresh meat may be cut up without first being chilled subject to the following conditions—

(i) the fresh meat is transferred directly and without risk of contamination from a slaughterhouse or farmed/wild game processing facility to cutting premises within the same group of buildings;

(ii) cutting up takes place without delay; and

(iii) as soon as cutting up, wrapping and packaging are completed the fresh meat is placed immediately in the refrigerated room and is brought progressively to an internal temperature of not more than +7°C for cut fresh meat and +3°C for offal;

(b) fresh meat of bovine animals, sheep and swine may, after having been placed in the refrigerated room, be cut up before reaching an internal temperature of not more than +7°C for carcases and cuts and +3°C for offal, provided—

(i) such meat is transferred directly and without risk of contamination from the slaughterhouse to cutting premises within the same group of buildings;

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