The Beef Carcase (Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations, 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 (O.J. No. L41, 14.2.91, p. 15).

The Regulations consolidate with minor amendments the Beef Carcase (Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992, the Beef Carcase (Classification) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994 and the Beef Carcase (Classification) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 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 Department 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 Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland 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 Department 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); and

(h) create offences and penalties, and provide for defences (regulations 12 and 13).

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 (O.J. No. L169, 8.7.03, p. 32) (regulation 7).

A Regulatory Impact Assessment has not been prepared for these Regulations as they have no impact on the costs of business.