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

Regulations 4(2)(a)(i) and (iv), 7(1)(a), 10(1)(a) and 17(4)

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

(c) at any other time, if required by the OVS.

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;

(c) whether they are injured, fatigued or stressed; and

(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

(c) have been found to have any form of clinical tuberculosis.

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(1).

(1)

O.J. No. L.224, 18.8.90, p. 29