These Regulations, which apply in Scotland only, revoke and remake with amendments the provisions of the Pig Carcase (Grading) Regulations 1994 and the Beef Carcase (Classification) (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and their amending instruments. The Regulations enforce Article 42 of, and Annex V to, Council Regulation (EC) No. 1234/2007 (O.J. No. L 299, 16.11.2007, p.1), which relate to Community scales for the classification of carcases, and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1249/2008 (O.J. No. L 337, 16.12.2008, p.3), which sets out further details regarding the implementation of those scales for the classification of carcases. The Regulations relate to the carcases of bovine animals and pigs.

The Regulations provide for notifications to be made to the Scottish Ministers by operators of slaughterhouses which slaughter bovine animals or pigs (regulation 4).

They contain provisions regarding the holding of licences by persons who classify bovine carcases or in relation to classification of such carcases by automated grading equipment (regulations 8 to 11).

They require the keeping of certain records (regulations 12 and 16 and Schedules 3 and 4).

Part 5 of the Regulations concerns enforcement, and makes provision relating to the powers of authorised officers. In particular regulations 19 and 20 provide that breach of specified provisions of European Union legislation (set out in Schedules 1 and 2) is an offence. All offences are punishable on summary conviction with a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, except offences under regulation 23(2) (misleading marks).

Reference to the Council Regulation and the Commission Regulation are to be read as references to the text of these instruments as amended from time to time. “As amended” versions of the European instruments can be found on the Eur-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm).

A Business Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) was prepared in respect of these Regulations. Copies of the BRIA can be obtained from the Scottish Government Rural and Environmental Directorate, B1 Spur, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh, EH11 3XD. Copies have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.