Search Legislation

Agriculture Act 1967

 Help about what version

What Version

 Help about advanced features

Advanced Features

Changes over time for: Cross Heading: The Meat and Livestock Commission

 Help about opening options

Version Superseded: 27/07/1993

Status:

Point in time view as at 01/02/1991.

Changes to legislation:

Agriculture Act 1967, Cross Heading: The Meat and Livestock Commission is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 20 October 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Changes and effects yet to be applied by the editorial team are only applicable when viewing the latest version or prospective version of legislation. They are therefore not accessible when viewing legislation as at a specific point in time. To view the ‘Changes to Legislation’ information for this provision return to the latest version view using the options provided in the ‘What Version’ box above.

The Meat and Livestock CommissionU.K.

1 The Meat and Livestock Commission.E+W+S

(1)There shall be established a body to be called the Meat and Livestock Commission (in this Part of this Act referred to as “the Commission”) having the general duty of promoting greater efficiency in the livestock industry and the livestock products industry, and the particular functions specified in Part I of Schedule 1 to this Act, as well as the other functions conferred by this Part of this Act.

(2)In carrying out their functions the Commission shall have regard to the interests of consumers as well as to the interests of the various sections of the livestock industry and the livestock products industry.

(3)The Commission shall consist of not more than [F1fifteen] members appointed by the Ministers, and the Ministers shall appoint persons who in the Ministers’ opinion are qualified to serve on the Commission by reason of their financial, commercial, technical, scientific, administrative or other relevant experience, and have no such financial or commercial interest as would be likely to prejudice the proper discharge of their functions as members.

(4)The Commission shall have a chairman and deputy chairman appointed by the Ministers from among the members of the Commission.

(5)The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food shall—

(a)pay to the members of the Commission out of money provided by Parliament such remuneration and such travelling or other allowances as the Ministers, with the approval of the Treasury, may determine, and

(b)in the case of any member of the Commission to whom the Ministers, with the approval of the Treasury, determine that this paragraph applies, pay out of money provided by Parliament such pension, or make such payments out of money provided by Parliament toward the provision of a pension, to or in respect of him as the Ministers and the Treasury may determine in his case,

and if a person ceases to be a member of the Commission and it appears to the Ministers that there are special circumstances which make it right that that person should receive compensation, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food may, with the approval of the Treasury, pay to that person out of money provided by Parliament a sum of such amount as the Ministers may with the approval of the Treasury determine.

(6)Nothing in this Part of this Act shall be construed as authorising the Commission to engage in the business of buying and selling livestock or livestock products, except so far as is reasonably necessary for, and incidental to, the discharge of other functions of the Commission.

(7)Part II of Schedule 1 to this Act shall have effect with respect to the Commission.

Textual Amendments

[F21A Commission’s duty to consult representative organisations. E+W+S

(1)If it appears to the Commission that any matter arising or likely to arise out of the exercise of the Commission’s functions has or is likely to have a substantial effect on the interests of one or more classes of persons mentioned in Part IIA of Schedule 1 to this Act, the Commission shall consult the relevant organisation or each of the relevant organisations about that matter; and where a number of organisations fall to be consulted under this subsection about any such matter, the Commission may consult them together, or separately, or some together and others separately, as the Commission think fit.

(2)For the purposes of this section an organisation is a relevant organisation in relation to a class of persons mentioned in the said Part IIA if it is for the time being designated by the Ministers as a relevant organisation in relation to that class; and the Ministers shall designate, in relation to any such class of persons, all such organisations as appear to them appropriate as representing the interests of that class, taking account of interests in Scotland and Wales as well as in England.

(3)The Commission may pay to representatives of organisations consulted by them in pursuance of this section such travelling or other allowances as the Ministers may, with the approval of the Minister for the Civil Service, determine.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F32 The Consumers Committee, and other committees of the Commission. E+W+S

(1)The Ministers shall appoint a committee to be called the Consumers Committee.

(2)If it appears to the Commission that any matter arising or likely to arise out of the exercise of the Commission’s functions has or is likely to have a substantial effect on the interests of consumers, the Commission shall consult the Consumer’s Committee.

(3)The Consumers Committee may at any time submit proposals for the consideration of the Commission as to the manner in which any of the Commission’s functions which are of concern to the Committee should be exercised, or make representations to the Commission on any matter which in their opinion has or is likely to have a substantial effect on the interests of consumers.

(4)The foregoing provisions of this section shall not be taken as preventing the Commission from setting up other committees; and the Commission may employ any of their committees in an executive as well as in an advisory capacity.

(5)When giving advice to the Commission, the Consumers Committee or any other of the Commission’s committees shall, where any of their members desire to give advice differing to any considerable extent from the advice of the majority, inform the Commission of that fact, giving particulars of that differing advice.

(6)Part III of Schedule 1 to this Act shall have effect as respects the Commission’s committees.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

3 Commission’s duties in connection with fatstock guaranteed prices and calf subsidies.E+W+S

(1)It shall be the duty of the Commission to carry out such functions as the Ministers may confer on the Commission in connection with—

(a)any arrangements in force by virtue of an order under section 1 or section 5 of the M1Agriculture Act 1957 for providing guaranteed prices for fatstock, or

(b)any scheme or order under the M2Agriculture (Calf Subsidies) Act 1952 as extended by this Act,

but not including any functions conferred on the Ministers or either of them by or under an Act of Parliament other than functions which the Ministers may delegate under section 9(4) of the M3Agriculture Act 1957 or any other enactment.

(2)So far as relates to livestock or livestock products, in section 5(1)(d) of the Agriculture Act 1957 (power of entry in connection with guaranteed prices), and in any order made under that paragraph before the coming into force of this section, references to authorised officers of the Minister shall include references to authorised officers of the Commission where accompanying an authorised officer of the Minister.

(3)Any relevant information obtained by either of the Ministers in the discharge of their functions in connection with—

(a)any arrangements in force by virtue of an order under section 1 or section 5 of the Agriculture Act 1957 for providing guaranteed prices for fatstock, or

(b)any scheme or order under the M4Agriculture (Calf Subsidies) Act 1952 as extended by this Act,

may, for the purpose of assisting the Commission in the performance of their functions under this section, be disclosed to the Commission; and any such disclosure shall not be treated as a breach of contract, trust or confidence.

4 Commission’s functions in connection with Markets and Fairs (Weighing of Cattle) Acts.E+W+S

(1)The Ministers, or either of them, may from time to time delegate to the Commission any powers exercisable by the delegating Ministers or Minister to make orders under—

(a)section 9 of the M5Markets and Fairs (Weighing of Cattle) Act 1887 as amended by section 2 of the M6Markets and Fairs (Weighing of Cattle) Act 1926 (order exempting from obligation to provide facilities for weighing cattle),

(b)section 2 of the M7Markets and Fairs (Weighing of Cattle) Act 1891 (order exempting a market authority from obligation to provide and maintain accommodation for weighing cattle),

(c)section 4 of the Markets and Fairs (weighing of Cattle) Act 1891 (order exempting auctioneers from requirements relating to facilities for weighing cattle),

(d)section 1(4) of the M8Markets and Fairs (Weighing of Cattle) Act 1926 (order exempting auctioneers from certain requirements relating to weighing of cattle),

(e)[F4section 57(2) of the Food Act 1984] (order exempting market authorities from requirements relating to weighing machines for cattle).

(2)An order under the said [F4section 57(2) of the Food Act 1984] shall not be made by statutory instrument.

(3)Where any power delegated to the Commission under this section includes power to vary or revoke orders previously made under that power, the Commission may vary or revoke any such order notwithstanding that it was made by the delegating Ministers or Minister.

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

5 Systems for classification of carcases.E+W+S

(1)For the purpose of providing a standard method of describing as fully as practicable those characteristics of a carcase which are the principal features of interest to persons trading in livestock and carcases the Commission shall, as soon as practicable, compile systems for the descriptive classification of the carcases of all types of livestock slaughtered in Great Britain and for marking carcases according to that classification.

(2)For the said purpose the Commission may at any time compile systems for the descriptive classification and marking of imported carcases, or modify any system, so far as inappropriate for imported carcases, so as to make it applicable to all or any imported carcases.

(3)The systems shall be operated by the Commission, and they shall take such steps as appear to them appropriate—

(a)for bringing to the notice of those particularly concerned particulars of any system compiled by them, and

(b)with a view to developing the system, for inviting any person to enter into arrangements with the Commission for the Commission to operate the system on his behalf.

(4)If at any time the Commission are satisfied—

(a)that a system compiled under this section is practicable, and

(b)that they have obtained sufficient experience of the operation of the system, and

(c)that they have the resources and facilities required to operate the system,

they shall submit particulars of the system to the Ministers with the view to the making of an order under the next following section.

6 Compulsory use of systems of classification of carcases.E+W+S

(1)The Ministers may, on the recommendation of the Commission, by order make provision for requiring that carcases of such description as may be specified in the order shall be marked by the Commission in such circumstances and in such manner as may be prescribed by the order and in accordance with the system to which the recommendation relates.

(2)The order may specify the carcases to which it is to apply by reference to the type of livestock, and the type of carcases, may distinguish between imported carcases and carcases of livestock slaughtered in Great Britain, and may make other distinctions for different cases, and shall be subject to such exceptions or exemptions as may be made by or under the order.

(3)An order under this section—

(a)may impose duties and restrictions on any persons, and in particular on persons having the control and management of slaughterhouses, for the purposes of enabling the Commission to operate the system,

(b)without prejudice to paragraph (a) above, may restrict the cutting and other operations which may be carried out on carcases before they are marked, and prohibit their removal from the place of slaughter or importation before being marked,

(c)may require persons responsible for premises where a system is operated in accordance with this section, and persons subsequently dealing with carcases required to be marked in accordance with this section, to keep records relating to their dealings in such carcases,

(d)may authorise the Ministers to give directions to the Commission as to the manner in which the system is to be operated,

(e)may make provision for any incidental or supplemental matters for which provision appears to the Ministers to be necessary or expedient.

(4)If any person contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of an order under this section he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F5level 3 on the standard scale] or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or both:

Provided that if in proceedings against any person for an offence under this subsection it is proved—

(a)that the commission of the offence was due to an act or default of some other person, and

(b)that the person charged took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence by him or any person under his control,

then, subject to the next following subsection, the person charged shall be acquitted of the offence.

(5)A person charged with an offence under the last foregoing subsection shall not be entitled to be acquitted by virtue of the proviso thereto unless, not less than fourteen clear days before the hearing, he has given notice in writing to the prosecutor of his intention to rely on that proviso, specifying the name and address of the person to whose act or default he alleges the commission of the offence was due, and has sent a like notice to that person; and that person shall be entitled to appear at the hearing and to give evidence.

This subsection shall not apply to Scotland.

(6)Where the commission by any person of an offence under subsection (4) above is due to an act or default of some other person, that other person shall be guilty of the offence; and a person may be charged with and convicted of the offence by virtue of this subsection whether or not proceedings are taken against the first-mentioned person.

(7)If any person wilfully obstructs an authorised officer of the Commission or other person in the performance of his duty in connection with the operation of a system in pursuance of an order under this section he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F5level 1 on the standard scale].

(8)If any person—

(a)with intent to deceive, removes, alters, conceals or defaces any mark applied in the course of the operation by the Commission of a system compiled under the last foregoing section (whether or not operated in pursuance of an order under this section), or

(b)applies to any carcase, without due authority and with intent to deceive, any mark prescribed by a system so compiled and operated, or applies to any carcase a mark so closely resembling a prescribed mark as to be calculated to deceive, or

(c)wilfully makes a false entry in any record which is required to be kept in pursuance of an order under this section or, with intent to deceive, makes use of any such entry which he knows to be false,

he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or both, or on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.

(9)For the purpose of ascertaining whether an offence has been committed under this section an authorised officer of the Commission may, on producing if so required a duly authenticated document showing his authority, require a person carrying on or managing a slaughterhouse or other undertaking for the slaughter of livestock, or an undertaking for the storage, processing, grading, classification, packing or cutting of carcases, or for the sale of carcases by wholesale, to produce any books, accounts or records relating to the conduct of the undertaking which the officer may require to inspect, and may take a copy or extract from any such book, account or record produced to him.

If a person fails to comply with a requirement under this subsection he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F5level 3 on the standard scale] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or both.

(10)An order under this section shall be made by statutory instrument and may be varied or revoked by a subsequent order under this section.

(11)No order shall be made under this section unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament; and an order terminating provision made under this section for the operation of a system shall not require the recommendation of the Commission under subsection (1) above.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

7 Systems of classifying meat, and codes of practice for butchers.E+W+S

(1)With a view to assisting persons buying meat by retail the Commission may compile—

(a)systems of classifying meat and of marking and labelling it in accordance with the classification, and

(b)standard codes of practice for the way in which meat is cut for sale by retail and for the way in which the cuts of meat are described,

and may take such steps as appear to them appropriate to encourage the use of the systems of classification and standard codes in all retail meat undertakings.

(2)The Commission may operate any system compiled by them under this section.

(3)References in this section to labelling meat include references to labelling it by means of any mark, label, tag or ticket made on, attached to or displayed with the meat, . . . F6.

8 Information as to retail meat prices.E+W+S

(1)The Commission may submit to the Ministers schemes for requiring information to be given in retail meat undertakings as to the prices asked for meat and for regulating the way in which that information is given.

(2)A scheme under this section may in particular—

(a)require information to be given by the display of price lists and, in the case of meat exposed for sale, by the use of prices attached to or displayed with the meat,

(b)require the information to be given, in the case of meat exposed for sale, both by showing the prices of particular pieces of meat and also by showing the weight of particular pieces of meat and the price per pound weight,

(c)regulate the way in which meat is described in price lists and the language used for description,

(d)contain provisions to ensure that information about prices is not given in a misleading way, is conveniently presented and is accessible.

(3)A scheme made under this section may be varied or revoked by a subsequent scheme so made, and may contain such supplemental and incidental provisions as appear to the Commission to be expedient, including in particular provisions—

(a)conferring such exemptions from the requirements of the scheme as may be specified by or under the scheme,

[F7(b)conferring powers of entry on inspectors appointed under section 72 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985,]

(c)in the case of a scheme varying or revoking a previous scheme, for any transitional matters.

(4)A scheme under this section may include provisions making persons guilty of an offence against the scheme and, in particular, may make a person guilty of an offence against a scheme if he demands or accepts for any meat a price in excess of one displayed in connection with it.

(5)A person guilty of an offence against a scheme under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F8level 2 on the standard scale]

(6)If the Ministers are satisfied that the bringing into force of a scheme submitted to them under this section is desirable they may confirm the scheme by order made by statutory instrument, subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(7)The Ministers may by order revoke a scheme under this section if it appears to them, after consultation with the Commission, that the scheme is not serving the purposes for which it was made, or that the continued operation of the scheme would be contrary to the public interest.

An order under this subsection—

(a)may contain such supplemental and incidental provisions, including transitional provisions, as appear to the Ministers to be expedient, and

(b)shall be made by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

9 Powers to meet future developments in livestock and livestock products industries.U.K.

(1)With a view to enabling the livestock industry and the livestock products industry to carry out such changes as the Commission may consider to be necessary or expedient, the Commission may submit to the Ministers a scheme (in this section referred to as a “development scheme”) for the purpose of conducing to the better organisation, development or regulation of any section of the livestock industry or the livestock products industry.

(2)A development scheme may make provision for the rationalisation or concentration of a section of either industry, including in particular—

(a)provisions compelling or encouraging the elimination of excess capacity,

(b)provisions compelling or encouraging a reduction in the number of undertakings engaged, and

(c)provisions requiring permission to be given for the setting up of a new undertaking or the relocation of an existing undertaking.

(3)A development scheme shall provide—

(a)that the compensation payable under the development scheme in respect of loss or damage sustained in consequence of the provisions of the scheme shall be payable either out of funds provided by the industry, or a section of the industry, or by the Commission, or partly by one of those means and partly by another, and

(b)for questions of disputed compensation so payable to be determined otherwise than by the Commission.

(4)A development scheme may be made for the purpose of providing facilities or services for a section of either industry, whether free of charge or not, and may provide for the expenses of providing the facilities or services to be met either out of funds provided by the industry, or a section of the industry, or by the Commission, or partly by one of those means and partly by another.

(5)A development scheme—

(a)may be made for Great Britain or for England and Wales or for Scotland, or for one or more areas within England and Wales, or Scotland,

(b)may be by way of an experimental or pilot scheme restricted to a specified area or specified undertakings or specified persons.

(6)The methods employed by a development scheme may include the licensing of undertakings or producers, the imposition of quotas on undertakings or producers or markets, and the registration of any category of undertakings or persons.

(7)A development scheme shall have effect notwithstanding any provision inconsistent with the scheme which is contained in any Charter or letters patent, or is contained in or made under any Act of Parliament (including a local Act) passed before this Act or any local Act passed with or after this Act.

(8)A development scheme may be varied or revoked by a subsequent development scheme and may contain such supplemental and incidental provisions as appear to the Commission to be expedient, including in particular provisions—

(a)conferring functions on the Commission,

(b)with respect to the funds to be paid by either industry, or a section of either industry, for the purposes of the scheme, including provisions authorising the Commission to obtain the funds by means of a levy scheme or provisions applying, with any necessary modifications, so much of this Part of this Act as relates to levy schemes,

(c)requiring the keeping of books, accounts and records,

(d)conferring powers of requiring the production of books, accounts or records and powers of entry on officers of the Commission and other persons authorised by the Commission to exercise those powers,

(e)conferring such exemptions from the requirements of the scheme as may be specified by or under the scheme,

(f)authorising the Commission to delegate any functions conferred on them by the scheme,

(g)in the case of a scheme varying or revoking a previous scheme, for any transitional matters.

(9)The generality of the provisions of subsection (1) of this section is not to be read as qualified by or restricted to the particular matters mentioned above in this section.

(10)A development scheme may include provisions making persons guilty of an offence where there is a contravention of the scheme, and for the imposition of penalties on summary conviction of any such offence, so however that a maximum fine specified in the scheme shall be a sum not exceeding [F9level 3 on the standard scale] and a maximum term of imprisonment specified in the scheme shall be a term not exceeding three months.

(11)The Ministers may, after consultation with [F10Secretary of State for Trade], direct that any agreement or class of agreements specified in the direction, being agreements into which the Commission enter in connection with a development scheme, shall be ones to which [F11the M9Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976] does not apply.

This subsection extends to Northern Ireland.

(12)Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect as respects the procedure for making a development scheme, and other matters concerning development schemes.

Extent Information

E1S. 9(11) extends to N.I. otherwise the rest of the section extends to G.B. only

Textual Amendments

F10Words substituted by S.I. 1979/578, art. 3(5)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Marginal Citations

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources