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

Regulations 4(2)(a)(i) and (v), 7(1)(b) and (c), 10(1)(a) and (b), 12(1)(d) and (2)(d)(ii) and 13(1)(a)(vii)(bb) and (cc)

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;

(c) any evidence of bruising or haemorrhage;

(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;

(c) incisions of organs and lymph nodes as specified in Parts II to VII of this Schedule; and

(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;

(c) widespread tuberculous infection of the lymph nodes of the carcase;

(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(1).

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(2).

(1)

O.J. No. L.26, 31.1.77, p. 67

(2)

O.J. No. L.243, 11.10.95, p. 21