The Sheep Carcase (Classification and Price Reporting) (Scotland) Regulations 2025

Made: 11th December 2025

Coming into force in accordance with regulation 1

The Scottish Ministers make the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 11(1), 14(2) and 19(1) of the Agriculture (Retained EU Law and Data) (Scotland) Act 2020[^f00001] and all other powers enabling them to do so.

In accordance with section 11(4) of that Act, the Scottish Ministers have consulted such persons as they consider are representative of the interests of persons likely to be affected by these Regulations as they consider appropriate.

In accordance with sections 11(3), 14(7) and 19(5) of that Act, a draft of this instrument has been laid before and approved by resolution of the Scottish Parliament.

Part 1 — General

Citation and commencement

1

• (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Sheep Carcase (Classification and Price Reporting) (Scotland) Regulations 2025.

• (2) These Regulations, other than the provisions specified in paragraph (3), come into force on 12 January 2026.

• (3) The following provisions come into force on 12 February 2027—

• (a) regulation 5(1)(b) and (6) (requirements and methods for automated classification of carcases),

• (b) regulation 11(2)(g) (record keeping for automated classification methods),

• (c) regulation 13(b) (communication of automated classification methods to supplier),

• (d) regulations 16 and 17 (licensing of automated classification methods),

• (e) regulation 18(1)(b), (d) and (g) (appeals relating to automated classification methods),

• (f) regulations 19 and 20 (authorisation of automated classification methods),

• (g) regulation 23(3)(b)(ii) (on-the-spot checks for automated classification methods),

• (h) schedule 2 (tests for automated classification methods).

Interpretation

2

In these Regulations—

• “aged less than 12 months” means a sheep which— does not have a permanent incisor erupted through the gum, or is assessed as being less than 12 months of age in accordance with a method of assessment of age approved by the Scottish Ministers,

• “approval number” means the number allocated to a slaughterhouse to indicate that it is an approved slaughterhouse,

• “approved slaughterhouse” means an establishment which is— used for slaughtering and dressing sheep, the meat of which is intended for human consumption, and approved or conditionally approved under Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin[^f00002],

• “authorised automated classification method” means an automated classification method which is authorised by the Scottish Ministers in accordance with regulation 19 (authorisation of automated classification methods),

• “authorised officer” means a person authorised by the Scottish Ministers in writing to carry out on-the-spot checks under regulation 23 (on-the-spot checks) and to exercise powers under regulations 25 (powers of entry) and 26 (powers of authorised officers),

• “automated classification licence” means a licence granted by the Scottish Ministers under regulation 16(1) (licence to use authorised automated classification methods) permitting the use of an automated classification method for classification of carcases at a regulated slaughterhouse,

• “automated classification methods” means methods which consist of— a machine or other apparatus, and a formula, by which classification of sheep carcases can be carried out automatically,

• “carcase” means the whole body of a slaughtered sheep— as presented in accordance with regulation 7 (presentation of carcases for classification), after bleeding, evisceration and skinning, and bearing a health mark in accordance with paragraph 4 of Article 18 of the Official Controls Regulation and with Article 48 and Annex 2 of the Official Controls Implementing Regulation[^f00003],

• “classification” means the classification of carcases in accordance with regulation 5(2)(b) (requirements and methods for classification of carcases) and schedule 1 (classes of conformation and fat cover),

• “classification record” means the record of the classification containing the information set out in regulation 5(5) (requirements and methods for classification of carcases),

• “cold weight” has the meaning given in regulation 10(3) (determination of carcase weight),

• “compliance notice” has the meaning given in regulation 27(1) (compliance notices),

• “deadweight” means purchased on the basis that the exact price is to be established once the sheep has been slaughtered, according to the weight, classification or other pre-determined criteria it is subsequently found to meet,

• “licensed classifier” means a person to whom a licence has been granted under regulation 14(1) (licence to carry out visual classification),

• “Official Controls Implementing Regulation” means Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/627 of 15 March 2019 laying down uniform practical arrangements for the performance of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption[^f00004],

• “Official Controls Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products[^f00005],

• “on-the-spot-checks” has the meaning given in regulation 23 (on-the-spot checks),

• “operator” means a person carrying on the business of operating an approved slaughterhouse,

• “supplier” means the person who sends a lamb or sheep for slaughter,

• “visual classification” means classification which a licensed classifier carries out by eye and without the aid of an automated classification method,

• “warm weight” has the meaning given in regulation 10(2) (determination of carcase weight),

• “writing” includes electronic communication within the meaning of section 15 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000[^f00006].

Regulated slaughterhouses

3

• (1) In these Regulations, “regulated slaughterhouse” means—

• (a) an approved slaughterhouse at which at least 500 sheep per week as a rolling annual average are slaughtered,

• (b) a slaughterhouse at which less than 500 sheep per week are slaughtered as a rolling annual average in respect of which a notice has been given under paragraph (2) which has not been withdrawn.

• (2) The operator of an approved slaughterhouse of the kind described in paragraph (1)(b) may give notice to the Scottish Ministers requesting that these Regulations apply in relation to that slaughterhouse.

• (3) A notice given under paragraph (2) may be withdrawn no earlier than 12 months after that notice has been given, unless the Scottish Ministers agree otherwise.

• (4) In paragraph (1)—

• (a) a “week” means a seven day period from Monday to Sunday inclusive,

• (b) references to “rolling annual average” are to the mean average calculated for the year preceding at any given point in time, as calculated by an approved slaughterhouse on a monthly basis.

Part 2 — Notifications by operators

Notifications by operators

4

• (1) A person who is an operator of a regulated slaughterhouse on the date on which these Regulations come into force must, before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with that date, give notice to the Scottish Ministers.

• (2) A person who becomes an operator of a regulated slaughterhouse after the date on which these Regulations come into force must, before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which the person becomes an operator, give notice to the Scottish Ministers.

• (3) A notice under this regulation must be given in writing and include—

• (a) the full name and address of the operator,

• (b) the address, telephone number and approval number of the slaughterhouse,

• (c) where the operator is a partnership, the full names and addresses of all the partners,

• (d) where the operator is a body corporate, the full name, registered office address and registration number of the body corporate.

• (4) Where a change occurs in any of the particulars specified in paragraph (3), the operator must, within 28 days of the date on which the change occurs, give notice to the Scottish Ministers of the particulars of the change.

• (5) Where a slaughterhouse ceases to be an approved slaughterhouse its operator must, before the end of the period of 10 days beginning on the day on which that occurs, give notice to the Scottish Ministers of the date of such cessation.

• (6) For the purposes of this regulation “partnership” means—

• (a) a business which falls within the meaning given in section 1 of the Partnership Act 1890[^f00007],

• (b) a limited partnership registered under section 8(1) of the Limited Partnerships Act 1907[^f00008],

• (c) a limited liability partnership within the meaning given in section 1 of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000[^f00009].

Part 3 — Classification etc. of sheep carcases

Requirements and methods for classification of carcases

5

• (1) The operator of a regulated slaughterhouse must ensure that the carcase of each sheep aged less than 12 months at the time of its slaughter at that slaughterhouse is classified—

• (a) visually by a licensed classifier, or

• (b) by use of an authorised automated classification method.

• (2) Classifications under this regulation must—

• (a) be carried out at the time that the warm weight of the carcase is being determined in accordance with regulation 10 (determination of carcase weight), and

• (b) subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), classify the carcase by both—

• (i) a conformation class from the first column of Table 1 in schedule 1 (conformation classes), and

• (ii) a class of fat cover from the first column of Table 2 in schedule 1 (classes of fat cover descriptions).

• (3) Each of the classes of conformation in the first column of Table 1 in schedule 1 or, as the case may be, fat cover in the first column of Table 2 of schedule 1, may be subdivided into three subclasses of Low (marked as “-”), Medium (marked as “=”) and High (marked as “+”).

• (4) If the subclasses in paragraph (3) are not used in relation to the fat cover classes—

• (a) “3. Average”, and

• (b) “4. High”,

those fat cover classes may be subdivided into the subclasses Low (marked as “L”) and High (marked as “H”).

• (5) The operator must keep a classification record for each carcase classified under paragraph (1) comprising—

• (a) the specification of presentation used under regulation 7 (presentation of carcases for classification),

• (b) the cold weight of the carcase determined in accordance with regulation 10(3) (determination of carcase weight),

• (c) the classification determined under paragraphs (2)(b), (3) and (4).

• (6) If the operator of a regulated slaughterhouse uses an automated classification method and that method fails to accurately classify a carcase, the operator must ensure that the carcase is visually classified by a licensed classifier as soon as possible after the failure is identified.

Removal of tissue from a carcase

6

• (1) Subject to—

• (a) regulation 7 (presentation of carcases for classification), and

• (b) the application of veterinary requirements,

the operator of a regulated slaughterhouse must ensure that no fat, muscle and other tissue is removed from a carcase in that slaughterhouse before weighing and classification.

• (2) In this regulation, “veterinary requirements” means the requirements relating to post mortem official checks in—

• (a) the Official Controls Regulation, and

• (b) the Official Controls Implementing Regulation.

Presentation of carcases for classification

7

• (1) The operator of a regulated slaughterhouse must ensure that each carcase in the slaughterhouse is presented for classification by hanging it and preparing it in accordance with the reference specification or the UK standard specification.

• (2) The “reference specification” is presentation of the carcase following removal of each of—

• (a) the head, severed at the atlanto-occipital joint,

• (b) the feet, severed at the carpometacarpal or tarsometatarsal joints,

• (c) the tail, severed between the sixth and seventh caudal vertebrae,

• (d) the udder,

• (e) the genitalia,

• (f) the liver,

• (g) the pluck.

• (3) The “UK standard specification” is presentation of the carcase following removal of both—

• (a) each part listed in paragraph (2),

• (b) the kidney knobs, channel fat and diaphragm.

Identification of carcases

8

The operator of a regulated slaughterhouse must ensure that each carcase in that slaughterhouse is allocated a unique kill number which identifies the carcase and the batch of animals from which it was obtained.

Labelling of carcases

9

• (1) The operator of a regulated slaughterhouse must ensure that each carcase classified in the slaughterhouse is labelled at the time of classification with a label containing the following information—

• (a) the identifying kill number allocated under regulation 8 (identification of carcases),

• (b) the date of slaughter of the animal from which the carcase was obtained,

• (c) the approval number of the slaughterhouse,

• (d) the classification of the carcase determined under regulation 5(2)(b), (3) and (4) (requirements and methods for classification of carcases),

• (e) the cold weight of the carcase,

• (f) whether classification was carried out visually or by automated classification method.

• (2) Labels used for the purposes of paragraph (1) must be clearly legible, tamper-proof and firmly attached to the carcase.

Determination of carcase weight

10

• (1) The operator of a regulated slaughterhouse must ensure that the cold weight of each carcase classified in that slaughterhouse is determined in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).

• (2) To determine its warm weight, the carcase must be weighed to the nearest 100 grams—

• (a) as soon as possible, and

• (b) not later than sixty minutes,

after the animal has been slaughtered.

• (3) The cold weight of the carcase is its warm weight reduced by 2%.

Record keeping

11

• (1) The operator of a regulated slaughterhouse must keep a record of the information specified in paragraph (2) for each carcase which is classified in that slaughterhouse.

• (2) The information specified in this paragraph is—

• (a) the date of slaughter,

• (b) the kill number allocated under regulation 8 (identification of carcases),

• (c) the classification record made under regulation 5(5) (requirements and methods for classification),

• (d) where the animal from which the carcase was obtained was aged less than 12 months, whether it belonged to the new season lamb or the old season lamb category,

• (e) confirmation that any communication to a supplier required by regulation 13 (communication to the supplier) has been given,

• (f) where a classification was carried out visually, the name, signature and visual classification licence number of the licensed classifier who carried out the classification,

• (g) where classification was carried out by an automated method, the name, signature and automated classification licence number of the person who oversaw the classification,

• (h) where applicable, the market price determined in accordance with regulation 12(2) (recording of prices for carcases of sheep aged less than 12 months),

• (i) where applicable, any supplementary payment made for the carcase in accordance with regulation 12(3).

• (3) The operator must retain each record under paragraph (1) for a period of at least 12 months from the end of the calendar year in which the carcase to which the record relates is classified.

• (4) In these regulations, “new season lamb” means a sheep aged less than 12 months which is assessed by a licensed classifier to be from the lamb crop born in either—

• (a) the period beginning on 1 January and ending on 30 September in the current calendar year, or

• (b) the period beginning on 1 October and ending on 31 December in the previous calendar year.