The Meat Inspection Regulations 1987

Dressing of carcases

6.—(1) Every person who slaughters, or causes to be slaughtered, in a slaughterhouse any animal for sale for human consumption shall ensure that the carcase is dressed immediately after the animal has been slaughtered and that the provisions of paragraph (2) of this regulation are complied with.

(2) The carcase shall be dressed and treated in such a manner as not to prevent or hinder inspection in accordance with these Regulations and in particular—

(a) where back bleeding ensues upon the slaughter of an animal the pleura shall not be completely detached from the carcase until an inspector authorises the removal of the pleura;

(b) no action shall be taken which might alter or destroy any evidence of disease except on the instructions of an inspector;

(c) subject to the provisions of regulation 8(3), the offal, other than the feet of any animal, shall after removal from the carcase, be so kept as to remain readily indentifiable with the carcase until that carcase has been inspected by an inspector; and the feet of any animal shall be kept available for inspection in the slaughterhouse until an inspector authorises their removal;

(d) any blood intended for human consumption shall be collected and placed in a clean receptacle provided for that purpose and shall be so kept as to remain readily identifiable with the carcases from which it was collected until these carcases have been inspected by an inspector.