The Beef Carcase (Classification) (England) Regulations 2004 (revoked)

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, which apply in relation to England only, provide for the administration and enforcement of the Community system of classification of beef carcases as required by Commission Regulation (EEC) No 344/91 laying down detailed rules for applying Council Regulation (EEC) No 1186/90 to extend the scope of the Community scale for the classification of carcases of adult bovine animals (OJ No L 41, 14.2.91, p.15).

The Regulations consolidate with minor amendments the Beef Carcase (Classification) Regulations 1991, Beef Carcase (Classification) (Amendment) Regulations 1994 and the Beef Carcase (Classification) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 which are revoked. In particular they—

(a) make provision for exemptions from the Community system (regulation 3);

(b) require every occupier of a regulated slaughterhouse to give the Secretary of State particulars of his business (regulation 4);

(c) authorise certain carcases to be identified using labels rather than marks (regulation 5);

(d) make provision for the granting of classification licences (regulation 6);

(e) require occupiers of regulated slaughterhouses to keep, retain and produce records (regulation 8);

(f) give the Meat and Livestock Commission power to carry out classification requirements for regulated carcases and make provision for its entering into agreements with the occupiers of regulated slaughterhouses for such a purpose (regulation 9);

(g) confer on authorised officers of the Secretary of State powers of entry and inspection for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the Community system and Regulations, and require that reasonable assistance be given to them at their request (regulations 10 and 11);

(h) provide for the service of notices (regulation 12); and

(i) create offences and penalties, and provide for defences (regulations 13 and 14).

In addition, these Regulations introduce provision for granting licences for the use of automated grading equipment for the classification of carcases as permitted by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1215/03 (OJ No L 169, 8.7.03, p.32) (regulation 7).

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been prepared for this instrument as it has no impacts on the costs of business.