Wild Game Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997

Regulations 3(2)(a) and (b)(i), 6(1)(a), 9(1)and (3)(a), 10(1), 12(1)(b)(iii), (c) and (d) and 15(3)(b).

SCHEDULE 4 Post-Mortem Health Inspection Requirements

1.  Subject to paragraph 2, killed wild game intended for human consumption must be inspected within 18 hours of entering the wild game processing facility, and any OVS, inspector or PIA—

(a) shall have regard to any report of abnormal behaviour or illness or injury of the live animal or any observed abnormality of the abdominal viscera or the head;

(b) shall carry out a visual inspection of the bodies of wild game and any organs belonging to them which are available to him, paying particular attention to—

(i) indications that death was caused other than by hunting;

(ii) signs of systemic infection;

(iii) indications of decomposition;

(iv) signs of diseases transmissible to man or animals;

(v) presence of parasites in the skin or muscular systems;

(vi) evidence consistent with poisoning or intoxication from environmental contaminants;

(vii) signs indicating the presence of veterinary drug residues, environmental contaminants or pesticides;

(viii) injuries or swelling;

(ix) presence of oedema or fluid;

(x) emaciation;

(xi) unusual colour or smell detected by sensory means; and

(xii) any visible contamination; and

(c) shall detain, in the facilities referred to in sub-paragraph 1(i) of Schedule 1 for further inspection any carcase and offal suspected of being unfit for human consumption but which requires more detailed examination before a decision can be made.

2.—(a) In the case of small wild game, the inspection described in paragraph 1 may be carried out on a representative sample, which may be in fur or in feather, from the same source or, if the sources have been mixed into batches prior to inspection, have come from the same batch.

(b) Where such inspection reveals that any of the representative sample is unfit for human consumption, all the animals or birds from that source or batch must undergo inspection in accordance with paragraph 1.